The Daily News. TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1904. MILK SUPPLY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 72, 29 March 1904, Page 2

The Daily News. TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1904. MILK SUPPLY.

Last year, when licenses were issued to dairymen to supply milk for humun consumption, the Stock Department intimated to the holders of these licenses that no application need be sent in this year unless the provisions of the Government regulations had been complied with. This notification caused a mild consternation at the -time amongst owners of dairies, ami the Stock Inspector was almost overwhelmed with promises of reform, and applications for information as to the requirements of the Department. Soma, of those good resolutions were acted upon, others faded away. Hut now there is another awakening. In terms of the gazetted "Regulations ns to inspection, etc., of dairies," of which we have received a copy from Mr Rowan, of the local Stock Department, every owner of a cowshed or other building or place where cows are stalled or kept for the purpose of milking, the milk or cream from which is disposed of by sale solely or partially for consumption, shall register such building ns a dairy. Applications for registration closed on March Ist last, and liy dairymen applied in this district, comprising Inglewood, Waitara and New Plymouth. Certificates are to be issued on April Ist to those people whose premises are constructed to meet the requirements, or to those who, in the opinion of the inspector, are. tuking the necessary steps to comply with the regulations. Particular stress is laid on the construction ol byres nnd the water supply. We all know a little of the tumble-down shanties Hint have been used as milk-ing-sheils, and doubtless many of our raiders are familiar with the disgusting, dirty methods that were in use on some farms before the Government took a hand in the inspection of these places. Some details of the condition of iiillking-sheds and dairies in this district would hardly add to the zest of our readers at the breakfast-table. Badly situated sheds, insanitary surroundings, proximity of pigs and piggeries, filthy clothing of milkers, failure to wash the udders and of cows after the beasts huve been wallowing in muddy yards are amongst the items that have to be remedied. Car.' of the milk after drawing it from the cows is another weak point. Instead of being kept in well-ventilated dairies, the milk has often been found in stuffy and dark cupboardlike structures, without any provision being made for lighting' or ventilation. Cans and pans, too, were often discovered in a state hardly conducive to the supply of sweet milk to the public. It will readily bo admitted that in the interests of the public health the Department is taking the right course in forcing the purveyors of milk and other foods for human consumption to act on the principle that, cleanliness occupies a place in this world that is not far removed from godliness. As an exchange puts it, the selling of milk is a "trade that ought to be clean and white and holystoned and scalded like the mirror of truth. Already there has been n marked Improvement in the conditions on the farms in this district. As provided by the order of the Governor-In-Council the floors of milking-sheds must bo constructed to the satisfaction of the inspector, and here concrete floors are being insisted upon, with drains or gutters running the whole length behind the stalls and extending beyond the building. The structure must be lime-washed at frequent intervals, and the whole of .the shed and yards must be drained, cleaned and maintained in a snnitary condition to the satisfaction of the Inspector. Having thus provided for the erection and maintenance of suitable buildings, the regulations proceed to deal with the milking ami milkers. No milk is to be taken from a cow until the udder and teats have been thoroughly cleansed, and no person is allowed to extract the milk without having thoroughly cleansed his hands, which must be kept cleansed' until the milking and handling of the milk is finished for the first time being. The observance of the conditions stated above should ensure clean milk leaving lire sheds. The regulations provide that when stored for any length of time the milk must be kept in properly lighted and ventilated dairies, in vessels which have been .systematically cleansed. In subsequent, clauses it is provided that it shall not be lawful for any dairyman or purveyor of milk lo use a milk-store, or permit the same to be used, as a sleeping apartment, to keep pigs within lifly yards of such store, or to have any fowlhouse, manure, or sewage-drain within tliirlv feet of any pari of the milk-house,'or «, ,|„ anything or allow anything to be done which is likely to cause contamination of the milk. The carls or other conveyances for the carriage of the produce of the cows must be kept clean, and must not lieutiling for carting manure, pig wash, or any other decaying animal or vegetable matter, or brewers' grains. Unfortunately, this has been a much abused clause, some suppliers having been known to use in ordinary furmwork the same vehicle that hail to convey milk to town for sale and distribution. It is Incumbent on every licensed dairyman to provide a supply of pure water for watering stock and for cleansing utensils, ami also sullicient facilities for boiling the water required for the purposes of the regulations. These are the principal' clauses of the regulations, which arc lo be rigidly enforced. It will be seen that every provision is being made to safeguard the interests of the public, who are dependent on dairymen for this most, important article of diet, The public health mist be conserved, and there can be nr doubt that without the strictest inspection and supervision the milk supply of the towns cannot be maintained ut its proper level. With healthy cows, clean yards and sheds, clean milkers, cans and carts kept free from dirt, the consumer may depend on receiving his milk clean, pur« and wholcßomc.