AMBURY, ENGLISH & CO.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 89, 16 April 1901, Page 3 (Supplement)

AMBURY, ENGLISH & CO.

THE PASTEURISATION OF MILK.

It seems to be a principle of all life that one species shall prey upon another. Each class of birds and ani-

I trials has its particular enemies, and it is not always the biggest and strongest which survives. The giant tree has parasites that sap away its life; the weed will kill the most beautiful ilower; and even the weakest may render slid to the stoutest, as the la\>le of the j mouse and the lion so well sets forth. Alan under civilisation has effectually protected himself against his natural energies lower down the scale of the animal kingdom, but by living in cities he has become the prey of others more deadly because invisible. The übiquitous world of microbes is his menace, and against this army of parasites, invisible to the unassisted eye, he has proclaimed a deadly crusade. By sedulous study and experiment, he is tracking the enemy to his nest, and devising the weapons that will kill him- If the ordinary man could but comprehend the universality of ihe microbe his day would become as a nightmare. The chemist in his laboratory is the St. George who kills this modern dragon, and the last century, produced few names so great as that of the French savant Pasteur. This analytical student helped to revolutionise medical treatment, and it was only proper that one of the most beneficial checks—pasteurisation—to the attack of the insidious little organisms should be named after him. Science has evolved a formula for the treatment of that most valuable of -ill beverages, milk, which has increased its health-giving properties a hundredfold and nullified all its dangers as a disseminator of disease. The time will come when none but pasteurised milk will be drunk, and with that day a very important milestone in the march of the medical practitioner will be passed. Messrs Ambury, Kng-liKh <fc Co. are the most successful exponents of pasteurisation in New Zealand. Messrs. Ambury, English & Co. have made an industry of the scientific treatment of milk, and as we proceed we shall produce evidence to show that they have been public benefactors.

This firm was established in 1881, and. during intervening years have been' engaged on the most progressive scale in the production of high-class butter, and the distribution of pure milk. To-day they have farms at Mangere, Kaipara a.nd Waikato, eight creameries at Waikato and Kaipara, and a large factory at Karangahapo Eoad and Ponsonby. with depots for the sale of milk at Karangahape Road, Symonds-sl., Ponsonby Rd.,Hobsoii-st., North Shore and Parnell. In ail they employ eighty hands and export annually to England 200 tons of butter. The assistance they have rendered in the Auckland province in the foundation and successful development of the dairying industry marks them as one of the most valuable firms in our midst. It is not, however, the object of this sketch to describe the substantial proportions of their butter making industry, nor the splendid name which they have won for thensuperior butter. Sufficient to say that they have devoted sedulous attention to the production of butter of thp highest quality and that they command the best prices for the locally manufactured article. It was only three years ago that Messrs Ambtiry, English and Co. applied themselves to the study of milk pasteurisation. At first difficulties beset them, and disappointments had to be perseveringly borne. Eventually they were able, to accomplish all their objects, and to go through the process of pasteurisation with the utmost facility and success. The subsequent results have justified their enterprise, and Auckland residents to-day have an opportunity of safeguarding their health not possessed Iby any other community in the colony. The demand for milk provided'by the firm hns since increased by 30 per cent., and thus when its invnluable qualities are widely known it may be safely supposed, as already stated, that nothing but pasteurised milk will be consumed. There was a. considerable original outlay in importing improved plant from the Old World, part coming from Denmark. With nil its difficulties the work of pasteurisation is most simple. Shortly put, the milk is heated to a temperature, of 180 de°\ F. in a cylinder, after which it gravitates to a Linde British Co.'s ammonia machine, which suddenly reduces it to 36 deg F. Pasteurisation is thus accomplished wholly by mechanical action, no chemicals of any kind being used. In the stages of pasteurisation tests are made of the milk 'to see that all the ingredients of the cream and milk are retained. When completed the milk has its original taste, and is rendered more enjoyable by the knowledge that it is absolutely pure. In addition to the supreme caution taken to secure pure milk by pasteurisation, the firm exercise extreme care to obtain their supply from healthy cows. Much of this comes from their own dairies, where the animals arc subjected to constant inspection, and the cow-houses and milk-ing-sheds are provided with the best sanitary arrangements. The remainder is purchased only from those farmers who take similar precautions. As to the advantages of pasturisation, the Danes, who lead the world in the production of good butter, and in scientific dairying, declare that the only way to obtain irreproachable milk or butter is by pasteurising the milk or cream. The faults in milk in its ordinary condition arise through the microbes, which at any time alter its taste and hasten its decomposition. Hardly any liquid is so likely to contain deadly medium for the dissemination of disease. Pasteurisation has the effect of killing or rendering completely inoffensive these microbes, and of enabling the liquid to pursue all its wonderful properties of promoting good health. Scientific authorities in every country recommend the use of only pasteurised milk, and in Auckland the medical faculty are also fully acquainted with its advantages. That its revivifying qualities are remarkable can be demonstrated at our own door. Mr S. J. Ambury mentions numerous cases that have come under his personal observation, and he has been frequently called upon by people, who tender him their thanks for benefits derived in their families. Weak and puny children, whom neither farinaceous foods nor ordinary milks could do any good, have been rendered healthy *and stout in a few weeks by this pasteurised milk. One child of a local business man when born was 91bs in -weight, and when six, monihs old

was only Gibs. The parents were recommended to use pasteurised milk, and the effects were almost immediate. The child has since thrived, and is now as rosy and strong as any in the city. Another business man rang Mr Ambury up upon the telephone, and announced that his child was dying. He was advised to try the pasteurised millij and the father has since declared that be can hardly believe it possible that such a change could be effected so rapidly. Similar results have been observed in many other children, on whom the beverage seems to act as a talisman. Almost daily the drivers of the delivery carts have cases voluntarily mentioned to them, and each driver has become quite enthusiastic on the question. A bacteriologist from Sydney recently visiting Auckland announced before his departure that the factory of Messrs. Ambury, English and Co. was the most interesting thing- he had seen in this city. It is needless to heap up testimonies concerning the value of this Industry to Auckland, for what we have written suffices to prove that this crusade against the microbe world is a substantial and a successful oik;. Every month Messrs. Ambury, English and Co. sell over 30,000 gallons of pasteurised milk in Auckland, thirty deliverers being necessary to cope with the trade. The .same charge is made for pasteurised milk as for the ordinary, and under the circumstances tin N public have themselves to blame if they do not ndopt this precautionary and stimulative measure to secure health. The head of the family should esteem it a duty, as well for the sake of limiting the dangers of disease as for keeping his children strong, stout, and healthy.