MILK AND WATER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 94, 22 April 1902, Page 5

MILK AND WATER.

MILKMEN FINED.

At the Police Court this morningl, Arthur Joseph Southernwood, Bose Young, Thomas Watson, and Richard Goad were charged with selling* to T. C. Turner milk adulterated with water so as to lessen its-tijue value. Mr Cotter appeared for the City Councity authorities.

Southernwood's ease was , called first.' Defendant pleaded guilty, but stated that he sold the milk as he received it from his supplier. He had analysed it himself and found it contained 10J percent, of cream./.

Mr Cotter said the milk was sold to Mr Turner, sanitary -inspector, who had it analysed by Mr J. A. Pond, Government Analyst, who found that it contained 7-94 per cent, of milk solids, whereas the Adulterations Preventions Act provided that the minimum amount of^such solids should be 9 per cent. Mr Pond also found that the sample; contained 6.5 per cent, .of added water. In the past many people had put forward the plea put forward bj' defendant, and the Legislature had enacted that if sellers of milk got a written guarantee from : their suppliers' as to the purity of the milk,. they would be absolved from blame. ...

Defendant said he could not get a guarantee when he tried. He asked for a nominal fine, as he was a victim to circumstances. . , .

Mr Cotter pointed out that the proceedings were taken for the pijoteetion of the public. Defendant had been fined for a similar tamount before. The Act provided for a penalty not exceeding £20. Defendant was fined £3 and costs.

Rose Young pleaded guilty, telling the Court that she sold it as she bought it. She bought the milk from Southernwood.

Mr Cotter stated that Mr Pond's analysis showed 13 per cent, of added water in the milk.

Defendant was fined. 20s and costs.

Thomas Watson pleaded not guilty, but after hearing the evidence His Worship recorded a conviction, and imposed a fine of 40s and costs; Mr Pond's analysis showed that there was 13.7 per cent, of added water in the milk. ,-: •

Eichard Goad pleaded guilty, stating that he was supplied from the same source as the previous defendant. His Worship imposed a fine of 40s and costs. In-this. case the adulteration was 13.8 per cent, of added water.. •■■■:'.

Mr Cotter pointed out in conclusion that retailers had the power to get samples of the milk supplied to them analysed, and to take proceedings if necessary. ~,...