UNSUITABLE STORE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 169, 19 July 1943, Page 4

UNSUITABLE STORE

LOSS OP TON OP BICE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, this day. One ton and a half of rice in a quantity of more than 100 tons, till recently stored at Lower Hutt in an addition to garage premises, has been made unfit for use by several factors. The rice was stored last year as reserve stock by the New Zealand Wholesale Merchants' Federation at the direction of the Food Controller. This was at the time precautions against a blockade were being taken and storage space was at a premium. The building in which the rice was stored has a concrete floor on which the bottom layer of bags was directly placed. Rats ate through the bags in this layer and rice fell into a gully trap and then passed through into the drain. The rice swelled and an overflow of the drain, both in the store and on the street resulted. This led to rumours that a considerable quantity of rice was lost, whereas the proportion was less than 1\ per cent. The rice has since been removed to more suitable premises. A medical officer of the Department of Health visited the Lower Hutt premises, and it is understood that the Lower Hutt City Council is making representations to ensure that no bulk storage of food is made in its area without the approval of its inspector.