The Fielding Star. Oroua and Kiwitea Counties Gazette. Published Daily. MONDAY, MARCH 7, 1904 OUR MILK SUPPLY.

Feilding Star, Volume XXV, Issue 221, 7 March 1904, Page 2

The Fielding Star. Oroua and Kiwitea Counties Gazette. Published Daily. MONDAY, MARCH 7, 1904 OUR MILK SUPPLY.

19' ' • From the report of the division of Veterinary Science of the Department of Agriculture, of wbioh Mr Gilruth is the chief bacteriologist, it would appear that there is, in many instances, an utter disregard of cleanliness, both in the milking sheds and the places used for the storage of the milk. Taking Wellington first, one officer mentions that there are milkers who spit on their hands when they start operations, because they do not like " dry milking !" As it is suggested in the report, in this dirty habit there is a possible source of tubercular infection. The inspectors, it appears, find " little if any attempt at drainage " in connection with cow yards. Owing to negligence they '• frequently become quagmires." Manure and droppings are "frequently deposited immediately outside tho byres." Dirty outhouses and sculleries are used for storing milk. The inspectors found in some cases " closets in close proximity to the milking sheds or dairies." Another and later report by a different inspector, sets out " In a large number of cases the cowyards and surroundings were in an abominable state." This inspector speaks of having had to condemn four cows suffering from epithelioma (cancer) which up to this condemnation had done their share towards supplying Wellington with milk. Mr Gilruth states that in one instance he saw two milkers, Maoris, wash their hands in the milk while they were milking. He tells of another instance where the udders of the cows " were scraping along the top of the filth in the yard," and adds, " After my experience of the dairies of New Zealand I take care to have all the milk that comes into my house boiled." This condition of things is a serious menace to the health of the people, as disease may be transmitted from one person or animal to many others. It is to be hoped that such a state of things as mentioned above does not exist in and around Feilding. Dairymen cannot be too careful in their habits, as milk ib an article of consumption that is most easily affected by contact with dirt or bad smells, and the ultimate evil result of such contact is disease and death.