WATERED MILK SUPPLIES

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26221, 19 September 1950, Page 8

WATERED MILK SUPPLIES

CANTERBURY FIGURES ANALYSED It should not be inferred from the annual report of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research that there had been an increase last year in the number of milk samples from the Christchurch area containing added water, said the Government analyst m Christchurch (Mr N. P. Alcorn) yesterday). Mr Alcorn was commenting on a passage in the report which said that there had been a substantial increase in the number of milk samples from Canterbury lound to contain added water.

Although the Christchurch district supplied most of the samples, the inerence that there had been an increase in the number containing added water rom this area was not justified, ne said. The area referred to as Canterbury in the report comprised Christhurch city and environs. North and South Canterbury, and the West Coast. For each of these districts the igures showing the total number ol samples taken during the year ended December 31, 1949, and the number found to contain added water, were as follows: Christchurch City and environs 2083 (eight containing added water); South Canterbury. 755 (22): North Canterbury, 108 (nil); West Coast. 198 (20). In South Canterbury, said Mr Alcorn, particular attention had been paid to one herd and this had had the result of boosting the figure for that area. Over the whole area, however, there had been a sharp increase since the previous year in the number ol samples showing that water had been added. Last year there were 50 samples of watered milk, compared with 25 the year before Other statistics quoted for each j.< the districts by Mr Alcorn were as follows*

Christchurch City and environs. 28 lefieient in fat 171 below standard in solids other than fat. ond 25 .'ailing tne eductase test (stale »r dirty); South Canterbury. 30. 110, 13; Nortl Canter bury, 5. 8,4; West Coast. 4, 17. 0.