WAS MILK TAINTED?

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 691, 17 June 1929, Page 11

WAS MILK TAINTED?

FARMER SUES DAIRYMAN COUNTER-CLAIM LODGED What constitutes tainted milk? Does some putrefying and extranneous matter require to be present in the milk, or does strong taste at certain periods of the year, when the pastures are luscious, constitute taint? 'J'HESE issues were before Mr. Justice Blair in the Supreme Court today. Wm. Percival Levy, a Glen Eden farmer, sued Raymond C. Rowlandson, an Auckland dairyman, for £487, representing £l5O loaned, and £337 for alleged breach of contract. Levy made an agreement with Rowlandson on August 7, 1928, to supply milk and cream, free from taint of feed and herbs, and he claimed that defendant had not taken the quantities specified, between September and December last year, and had refused to carry on the terms of the contract. Rowlandson counter-claimed £367 loss of profit involved by loss of custom caused by supply of inferior milk, and extra cost through having to buy supplies elsewhere. He further claimed £2OO general damages. Mr. Fleming represented plaintiff, and Mr. Glaister appeared for defendant. Plaintiff admitted that for a short period of the season the milk had a strong taste. This he ascribed to the fact that during the drought in Auckland last year the cows were eating dry feed for so long that when the succulent grass appeared the stock became bloated. Gases formed in the cows’ stomachs, and a certain quantity found its way into the milk. Pasteurising and aerating were adopted to eliminate the flavours as much as possible. (Proceeding.)