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Otago. Sir, — University Laboratory, Dunedin, 6th May, 1907. I have the honour to submit my report of work done for the Public Health Department for the year ending the 31st March, 1907. The samples analysed are of the usual character —water, milk, alcoholic liquors. All the samples of water were taken from the Balclutha district, and all had to be condemned owing to the amount of nitrogenous organic matter of a very objectionable kind found in them. Since action was taken by the Health Officer in these cases I have had samples of water forwarded by the Borough of Balclutha, which are of a very satisfactory quality—intended, I presume, to replace the supply condemned by the Department. Of the fifty-seven samples of milk analysed, nine were deficient in butter-fat, and two more just a little below the requirements of the Adulteration of Food Acta. Two were reported for added water. Looking at the results from these milk-analyses, a very marked improvement is seen when compared with former years. There is no doubt that the work of the Department has raised the quality of the milk for the Dunedin community. The fourteen samples of whisky analysed were taken to determine (1) whether the brands " John Dewar and Sons," " John Walker and Sons," " White and Mackay," had been tampered with, and whether, therefore, other whiskies were being sold under these brands; (2) whether the whiskies were of a pure quality, and up to the strength required by the Adulteration of Food and Drink Act. The tests applied to determine identity were the following : (1) Specific gravity, (2) colour, (3) percentage of proof-spirit, (4) amount of residue on evaporation, (5) the quality of such residue, (6) the proportion of chlorine. Two of the whiskies were proved to be other than the brands borne; two others varied considerably from the genuine article, but, being of equally good quality, no action was taken in the matter by the Police Department. One whisky was found to have been too much diluted, and a prosecution resulted. I have no doubt that the quality of the alcoholic liquors sold in Dunedin is being better attended to by those interested in the trade, owing to the surveillance of the Police Department. I have, Ac, Jambs G. Black, The Chief Health Officer, Wellington. Analyst to Health Department.

Return of Analyses at the University Laboratory, Dunedin, for the Year ended the 31st March, 1907.

Department or Person from whom Sample received. Date received. Adulteration Nature of Sample. ' suspected, or for Besult of Analysis, what analysed. "ublio Health >airy Inspector 'ublicHealth )airy Inspeotor rr >olioe" 1906. April 2 3 May 4 April 24 24 June 25 July 24 24 24 24 Oct. 1 Sugar .. .. Impurities .. No impurities found. Milk .. .. Water, or deficient Total solids, 128 ; fat, 3. Genuine milk. fat Water from tank, Impurities .. „ 41 gr. per gall. ; organic, 0-5 gr. Exoellent. High Sohool, Port Chambers Milk .. .. Water, or deficient Solids, 130; fat, 30. Good. fat .. Ditto .. .. „ 12-8 „ 2-9. Cream deficient. Beef, uncooked .. Wliolesomeness .. Sickening odour, dark colour, decomposing. Unfit for human food. Milk .. .. I Water added or fat Total solids, 13 00 ; fat, 3-78 ; solids not fat, 9-22. Good. removed .. Ditto .. .. „ 11-86; „ 2-63: „ 923. ' .. „ .. .. , 11-96; „ 3-52; „ 8-44. Watered. .. I „ .. .. „ 13-54; ,. 4-05; „ 9-49. Good. .. „ 11-95; „ 2-75; „ 9-20. 13-60; „ 3-70; „ 9-90. Whisky (for com- I For comparison ! Proof-spirit, 83-4 per oent.=U.P., 16-6; residue, 75 gr. per gall. ; parison) (genuine) chlorine, 05G gr. per gall. Whisky (for com- For comparison j Proof-spirit, 786 per cent. = U.P., 21-4 ; residue, 250 gr. per gall; parison with with No. 226 ohlorine, 1-50gr. per gall. Spurious. No. 226) Whisky .. For comparison Proof-spirit, 83-4 per cent. = U.P. 16-6 ; residue, 81 gr. per gall. ; with No. 226 chlorine, 056gr. per gall. .. For comparison Proof-spirit, 84 per cent. = U.P. 16; residue, 78gr. per gall.; with John! chlorine, 0-42 gr. per gall. Walker & Sons' genuine, to de- , tect substitution „ .. Ditto .. .. Proof-spirit, 78 per cent. = U.P. 22 ; residue, 503 gr. per gall. ; chlorine, 1-60 gr. per gall. .. Proof-spirit, 82 per cent. = U.P. 18 ; residue, 88 gr. per gall. ; chlorine, 0'56 gr. per gall. ..... .. Proof-spirit, 82-3 pec cent. = U.P. 17-7 ; residue, 95 gr. per gall. ; chlorine, 0-42 gr. per gall. , .. For comparison Proof-spirit, 82-4 per cent. = U.P. 176; residue, 75 gr. per gall. ; and strength chlorine, 0-42 gr. per gall. 1 1 1 * 1 1 1 1