ADULTERATED CREAM

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18537, 7 April 1930, Page 6

ADULTERATED CREAM

CHARGE UNDER POOD AND DRUGS ACT. DEPENDANT PAINTS IN WITNESS BOX. By Telegraph—Pres* Association WANGANUI, April 5. The police proceeded against Matthew Leo Rogers, manager of the Rangiwahia Dairy Company, on a charge of attempting to sell cream to the Maoriland Dairy Company which contained potassium bichromate, which is prohibited under the Food and Drugs Act. Potassium bichromate, which is used as a preservative, is an irritant poison. Detective J. Walsh said that representatives of the Maoriland Dairy Company, a private concern, when in the Rangitikei district, were successful in getting several farmers to supply their factory. These suppliers were previously suppliers to the RuahineRangiwahia Butter factory. Rogers was manager of the Rangiwahia factory. Detective Walsh said a small sample was taken from eacli can and kept until ten days’ samples were available. Then a test was made of the accumulated samples. To keep the samples from deterioration during the period of ten days, a small amount of preservative, potassium bichromate, as as it was commonly known, bichromate of potash, was placed in each bottle. After testing, the samples were kept for four days to allow of Government inspection. On December 16, 1929, a can containing 21 pounds of cream, labelled

“D. Saywell,” was received by the Maoriland Company from Ohingaiti. Further consignments in the same can were received on November 26, December 6 and December 16. When a fourth can arrived, the Health Officer was sent for and a sample of the cream taken. “This sample has been analysed by a qualified analyst, and has been found to contain potassium bichromate,” said Detective Walsh. Evidence was called to show that Saywell, in whose name the cream was sent, was acting under defendant’s instructions. The police claimed that Saywell was an innocent party to the transaction. It was contended that the consignments of cream sent forward by Rogers were the preservatised samples of cream containing potassium bichromate that he would have on hand at ten day intervals.

Ernest William Pemberton, chairman of directors of the Ruahine-RangV-

wahia Dairy Company, said the first he heard of defendant’s sending cream to the Maoriland. Company was from Rogers himself, prior to the new year. Witness said hi 3 company did not approve of Roger's action. Rogers told the directors at a meeting that he did not intend to send any more. The case was suddenly adjourned on Saturday morning, when defendant fainted while under cross-examination. It was explained that he had been up all night at hie factory, and had had no food on the; previous day. Mr L. Cohen,, for the defence, said two suppliers osf the Rangiwahia Factory had had cream rejected by defendant. In one case there were maggots on the surface of the cream, and in the other there was a distinct flavour of kerosene. Defendant, in evidence, said that two suppliers whose cream he rejected, sent it to the Maoriland Company. Witness decided to make a check test on the Maoriland grading. He decided to send a poor quality cream and thought that the contents of sample bottles would be a good experiment. He told his assistant to be careful not to put preservative in the bottles.

When the witness fainted, an adjournment until Saturday next was agreed on.