WATER IN BUTTER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19456, 12 October 1926, Page 13

WATER IN BUTTER.

ABOVE AMOUNT ALLOWED. _____ DAIRY COMPANY FINED. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] DUNEDIN, Monday. Judgment was given in tho Police Court this morning by Mr. H. W. Bundle, S.M., in the caso in which the Health Department proceeded against the Waitaki Dairy Company and retailers for selling butter containing more than 16 per cent, water. The facts in dispute, said the magistrate, related to tho analysis of samples, those for tho prosecution being taken by Mr. Andrews, Government analyst, and those for the defence by Mr. Carter, of Otago University. The results of the two analvses were strikingly inconsistent. One (Mr. Carter's) showed considerably less water than 16 per cent.., and tho other considerably more. A third sample was taken by tho two analysts jointly and tested, and the results were in tho main tho same as Mr. Andrews', which was conclusive proof that the Government analyst's test was correct. The magistrate was satisfied that tho defendant company was careful in its methods of production and that its appliances were up-to-date, but the butter in question, in spite of excellent grading for other exported produce, was not up to the standard. Tho company was fined £5 on each charge. This was increased to £5 Is to allow of appeal. The question of the withdrawal of tho case against the retailers and also tho matter of costs were held over for a month.