MILK SUPPLY OF WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9451, 23 August 1889, Page 5

MILK SUPPLY OF WELLINGTON.

INSPECTION OF DAIRIES. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION. J Wellington, Thursday. Mr. Clifton, Cuttle Inspector, lias subknitted to the Minister of Lands his report on dairies. Eighty-four dairies and 1738 cows were inspected. Of this number 955 cows were in good hoalth ; 72G, though in good health, were in low condition ; 161 in doubtful health, and four actually diseased. The supply of water for the cows was good in seven eases, middling in ten, and bad in three. Of the dairies 42 are reported as clean, 14 as middling, and 28 as dirty. Some of those mentioned as dirty were simply indescribably so, cows wading through filth, and then being milked with their udders dripping with this filth. The water for dairy use is generally fairly good, but in several instances the water is drawn from almost stagnant creeks. In these cases, at least, the manure from the byres drained into such creeks, and no other water was provided for washing cans, &c. Mr. Clifton says he cannot connect the presence of typhoid fever in Wellington with the milk supply, but adds that the condition under which this milk is brought into consumption should be improved. He recommends a systematic supervision of the milk supply. At the City Council, to-night, Dr. Martin's report on a certain dairy at Karori was brought up, and disclosed a scandalous state of neglect and filth. A water closet and piggery adjoined the cow-stalls, which were several inches thick with dung. The Mayor, in speaking to a reporter, said the Premier had promised to bring in a Bill this session, empowering local bodies to inspect dairies, and charge fees for the inspection of the sumo.