BREACH OF THE DAIRY REGULATIONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2454, 27 March 1901, Page 8

BREACH OF THE DAIRY REGULATIONS.

THE CARRIAGE OF PIG FOOD IN MILK CARTS. Two cases arising out of breaches, o*f the legnlations of the recently gazetted " Dairy Industry Act, 1898," came under the notice of Mr C. C. Graham, S.M., at the City Police Court on Thursday morning. The section under which both informations were laid reads.—" No conveyance used for or in connection with the transport, carrying, or distribution of milk from or about dairy premises Hhall be used for canying any manure, excrement or filth, pigs' wash or food, or other animal or decaying vegetable matter, or for the carrying of brewer's grains; and, m case any such cart shall be so used contrary to these legulations, the owner or occupier of such dairy premises and also the owner of such cart shall be guilty of an offence for each occasion on which such cart shall be so used." The penalty for a breach of any of the regulations is fixed by section 28 as "not exceeding £50," the certificate being cancelled ipso facto as well. The persons charged were Ann Richards, dairykeeper, of Opoho, and Thomas Coughlin, of Portobello, and the circumstances m both cases were identical. These, as stated by Inspector Donaldson, were that defendants had carried pig food in their milk-delivery caits when returning from town. Both defendants pleaded guilty. Mrs Richards eaid &ke did not know that sne was doing wrong, and she had ordered another cart now she understood what was r^uired of her. Mr Cougttlin complained that he had not received oaotice,- and explained that he had discontinued the practice before he was served with the summons. His Worship pointed out that every dairy keeper was -supposed to mike himself acquainted with the regulations, and ignorance could not be regarded as an excuse. In delivering judgment he said" that as these were the first cases brought under the new regulations he would inflict a nominal penalty. But it was as well that the defendants should know that they were liable to a penalty of £50. It was necessary for the preservation of the public health that the regulations should be strictly enforced, and he would inflict heavy penalties in all future cases. He would fine each defendant 5s to ahow that the regulations had been broken.