OLD PETER PIPER ON TDHE ADULTERATION OF FOOD.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 52, 6 February 1869, Page 3

OLD PETER PIPER ON TDHE ADULTERATION OF FOOD.

(To the Editor of the. Tuapeka Tones.) Sißj-^-In the following remarks I do not intend to say anything of the luxuries of life — let those do so who can afibrd the use cf them ; I shall confine myself to that which I have seen, felt, tasted, and tried to digest. You are aware that much has been said concerning the dearth of bread, and to very little effect as yet, much more be said in all truth, both as regards the enormity of the charge and the false balance. Bad flour vre have got, and will get again ; but what we do get is fiour, and it would not pay the vendors of that article to mix it with another element. "Wo should have a public meeting called by our respected Mayor, and havo this matter investigated — it comes homo to every man, especially those who are family mea — and let the bakers say how long they are going to charge us 100 per cent, more for the staff of life tban it is charged in Dunedin. There is certainly a first-rate chance for an honest baker setting up business at Lawrence, , Tea. — This article is fair in quality, < and not out of the way as regards price — and farther, a pound is a pound ; but if any gentlemen will take the trouble to call upon me, I will show him bow ho can get tho "colour" without digging for it, and that when the tea has been thoroughly washed, the sediment left; is nothing more nor less than the fine sand which may be seen any day mixed with the gold. Now, sir, as I am well acquainted with tea, I certainly don't believe that this sand comes from China, nor does it come from the heavens, &3 the water which I use comes from that puro and wholesome quarter. Sugar. — This article i 3 not improved by the time it reaches the consumers' hands, but I believe it is more genuine than the tea. Butter, an article of every day consumption, is as great a requisite as bread, and should be genuine in this young colony. I am aware that tho adulteration of butter is carried on to an alarming extent in England, America, and Australia, but was not aware until the other day that thoro are manufacturers of butcer in Otago. | I had hoped that all which came before i the public, and which they lasted and ' handled, had been " butter of kino," but have satisfied myself thab such is ' not the fact. A particular friend of ! mine (a lady, of course), bough b a pound, which was very fancifully done up with a handsome print, but with all, there was a suspicious look about it, which only a practised eye could discover. The lady in question washed it down, and got several pieces of mutton suet in tho butter. Badly manufactured, you say. Tes ; the tho suet should have been put through the mill, or not have been there at all. No, sir, !L do not see any reason why such roguery should be practised with butter at Is 6d perlb., and, to prevent such a wrong, steps should be taken to bring the guilty parties to justice. Milk.— This is tho last article of food which I will notice to-day. It is well known that in this district wo have any amount of good puro water, — that it is very good for gold-washing, for domestic purposes, and for brewing, but has one peculiarity — it will not mix with milk ; it is bo transparent as to be seen clearly with the naked eye — even the usual quantity, viz., one-third water, is found to bo rayther much. It may be that some prefer it reduced to 30 v.p., for health's sake. As for myself, I prefer it as my friend Sandy said of the " Grlenleevet, "It is a treat to get a wee drap o' the unta'en-doon thing."' The trade* of the professional milk seller must now" be at a discount, as there are a number of amateur squatters, with one or two cows, which not only supply their families with milk, but have a pint or two to sparo foj a friend. It operates as a wholesome caution to have a visit from the Inspector of weights and measures occasionally, and if tho Government of New Zealand could see their way to the appointment of an analytical chemist, such an appointment would be a great boon to tho colony. We should then know how much water should be packed with a quart of milk ; how much sand should be in a pound of tea ; or, how much suet should be mixed up with a pound ' of butter — as it is, we are pretty much in the dark in such matters, the consumers being in a state of ignorance, and the vendors may use too little (less than is consistent with profit) ofthe inferior elements. — I am, &c, Old Peteb, Pipes.