FARMER CHARGED

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4437, 8 April 1930, Page 1

FARMER CHARGED

UNUSUAL CASE AT WANGANUI. WANGANUI:, April 4. An unusual and involved case was commenced this morning before Mr «'■ H. Salmon, S.M. Matthew Leo Rogers was charged with attempting to sell to the Maoriland Dairy Company on December 10 cream that contained a substance, potassium bichromate, the addition of which is prohibited under the Food and Drugs Act. Mr L. Cohen appeared for the defence and Detective Walsh conducted the prosecution. Detective Walsh said that last year the company while canvassing in Hungiwahia was successful in getting several farmers to send their cream to Wanganui. Previously they had supplied the ltuahine factory. A certain can of cream, when it arrived at tire factory, was noticed to have a peculiar smell.' Later when the same can came back again it was kept separate. The health officer was sent for and samples were taken for analysis. The cream was found to contain potassium bichromate. It was contended that cream containing this substance was not fit for human consumption as it was an irritant poison. The presence of the poison might have meant serious consequences to tire company. Ernest Osboldstone, managing director of the Maoriland Dairy Company, said that after three consignments <>l cream sent by D. Say well from llangiwahia bad arrived he gave orders that the next lot should be held up. There was an interval of ten days between the arrival of each lot of cream, which was most unusual in summertime. The cream was sampled in the presence of witness. Inspector Purge ter took away two samples and leit a third witli witness, and this was .sent to 11 aw era for analysis, as well as a can of cream. The latter was later returned and condemned by the dairy instructor and sent hack to Saywell. The company’s solicitor was instructed to write to Saywell. Witness later went to Hangiwahia and saw Saywell and later made a complaint to the pol ICO. Ronald Hart Saywell said that in November last Rogers asked him if 1m could use the name of witness and send some cream to the company. Rogers said that he wanted to got the payments and the test oi the Maoriland Company. Rogers left the cream at witness’s gate. Witness did not handle it at all. He believed that the cream was left there. Three or four times witness repudiated any knowledge of the preservative in the cream. The case was adjourned.