MOISTURE IN BUTTER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 189, 14 September 1909, Page 2

MOISTURE IN BUTTER.

THE AUCKLAND CASE. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. The ease against the New Zealand Dairy Association, on a charge of exporting from the Dominion butter "V* taining more than m .per cent, of water, again came before Mr. C. C. kettle, S.M., this morning. Defendant pleaded not guilty. Mr. Mays, in opening the case for the prosecution, said the facts were that on February 13th, the Association sent to tlie Government grading stores ten boxes of butter. The assistant grader (Mi - . Fulton), on opening up this butter, came to the conclusion that it contained more than lfi per cent, of moisture. This opinion was confirmed by tho grader (Air. Thornton), and a sample was sent to New Plymouth for analysis. The analyst reported that it contained 23.21 per cent, of water. Mr. Cuddie stated that proceedings would be taken nnd Mr. Sprngg intimated to him that the ten boxes in question had been made from rejected cream which was not of sufficiently good flavor to make up into standard brands. It was intended only for use as pastry butter, and by mistake was sent to the freezing works. The whole thing, according to defendants, was due to inadvertence. Evidence on the lines of Air. May's statement was taken. Mr. Wesley Spragg, managing director of the Dairy Association, said that the butter in question was a brand seldom sent out, nnd in this ease it had not been intended for shipment. It was manufactured from cream which win no*, of sufficient quality for higher class brands, and was intended for local sale aa pastry butter. In his absence, however, it had been sent with the export lots to the grading store. Judging from the Association's method of manufacture he did not see how it «ould possibly contain such excess of moisture as alleged. Tfie hearing of the case was adjourned till Wednesday.