FARMER CHARGED

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 110, 5 April 1930, Page 10

FARMER CHARGED

UNUSUAL CASE AT WANGANUI., WANGANUI, April 4..' An unusual and involved case was commenced this morning before Mr J. H. Salmon, S.M. Matthew Leo Rogers Was charged with attempting. to sell to 1 tho Maoriland Dairy Company on December 16 cream that contained a substance, potassium bichromate, the addition of which is prohibited under the Food and Drugs Act. \ Mr L. Cohen appeared for the defence and Detective Walsli conducted the prosecution. Detective Walsh said that last year the company while canvassing in Rangiwahia was successful in getting several farmers to send their cream to Wanganui. Previously they had supplied the Ruahine factory. A certain can of cream, when it arrived at the factory, was noticed to have a peculiar smell. Later when the same can came back again it was kept separate. The health officer was sent for and samples were taken for analysis. The cream was found to contain potassium bichromate. It was contended that cream containing this substance was not fit for human consumption as it was an irritant poison. The presence of the poison might have meant serious consequences to the company. Ernest Osboldstone, managing director of tho Maoriland Dairy Company, said that after three consignments of cream sent by D. Saywell from Rangiwahia had arrived ho gave orders that the next lot should be held up. There was an interval of ten days between the arrival of each lot of cream, which was most unusual in summertime. The cream was sampled in the presence of witness. Inspector Pargeter took away two samples and left a third with witness and this was sent to Hawera for analysis, as well as a can of cream. The latter was later returned and condemned by the dairy instructor nnd sent back to Saywell. The company’s solicitor was instructed to write to Saywell. Witness later went to Rangiwahia and saw Saywell and later made a complaint to tho police. Ronald Hart Saywell said that in November last Rogers asked him if he could use the name of witness and send some cream to the company. Rogers said that he wanted to get the payments and the test of the Maoriland Company. Rogers left the cream at witness’s gate. Witness did not handle it at all. Ho believed that the cream was left there. Three or four times witness repudiated any knowledge of the preservative in the cream. The case was adjourned.