QUALITY OF MILK

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 30, 5 February 1935, Page 9

QUALITY OF MILK

TWO VENDORS FINED BUTTER-FAT DEFICIENCY MAGISTRATE'S COURT CASES. Two milk vendors were fined £3 by Mr. J. H. almon, S.M., at the Magistrate’s Court at Wanganui, yesterday. They wore convicted of having sold milk which did not comply with the standard prescribed by regulation 42 la of the Sale of Foods and Drugs Act. 1908. Their names were Thomas J. Aitcheson and Mrs. J. V. Pinfold. Both stated that they bought milk from farmers, and that at the time a sample was taken by Inspector J. Fear of the Wanganui City Council, staff, the supply of milk was low. They attributed the low content of butter-fat to the fact that, a plunger had not been used to stii the milk up. Mr. .1 M. Hussey appeared for Aitcheson, but Pinfold was not represented. Aitcheson pleaded guilty, and Pinfold nob guilty. Sergeant J. Cleary said that on November 22 last at 3 p.m. Inspector Fear took a pint of milk from Aitcheson’s shop. Analysis showed it to. contain the lowest amount of butter-fat permitted, and that 15.4 per cent, of butterfat had been removed by skim ming.

Mr. Hussey said it was not a case of milk having been watered, but of a deficiency of butter-fat. Defendant took delivery of his milk in the morning, and used a plunger for stirring it. It was possible that on the occasion of the inspector’s visit he or his assistant might not have use J the plunger, which would have meant that a customer or customers would be given the top of the milk. (Defendant's dairy was one of the first three in Wanganui and no expense had been spared in making and keeping it so. Previous reductes tests had shown his milk to be in order, and a number of tests, similar to the one on which the present charge was based, had also shown the milk to be in order. •Defendant bought his milk from a man who collected it from a model farm. It was excellent milk, and previous tests had revealed that nothing was wrong with it. It seemed unfortunate that he should have to pay i penalty, particularly as it was his first often ce. “It is to be noted that the milk simply contained the lowest permissible amount of milk fat,” sail Mr. ►Salmon when imposing the fine. Mrs. Pinfold pleaded not gull'.’ on the ground that her husband had sold the milk. Inspector Fear gave evil.mce of having bought a pint of milk from Mr. Pinfold. The shop was owned by defendant. On analysis it was found that the milk contained the lowest permitted amount of fat, 26.1 per. cent, having been removed by skimming.” Defendant: Why didn’t you take a test from the farmer? Inspector Fear; 1 took one the next day. Mr. Salmon: Did that comply with the regulations? Inspector Fear; Yes, sir. Defendant, in evidence, considered the 'trouble had occurred because the milk had not been stirred. Mr. Salmon: The remarkable fact is that, the next day a sample was taken from the farmer, and the milk complied with the regulations. Defendant: The milk was well <lown when Ihe inspector called. When 1 rang the farmer up and told him about, the result of the test, he said he didn’t give a damn. “This is also a case in which the milk contained the lowest, permiiul amount of butter-fat,” said Mr. Salmon before imposing the fine. “1 may explain for your benefit that you are

liable under this Act if you sell milk which is below standard, even if you do not know it is below. There, is al) solute liability upon the person who sells, and if you keep a shop and have an agent or assistant you are st’ll liable in the way of milk sold from the shop. 1 must treat you the same as the other defendant.” Costs totalled 13s and analyst’s fee 10s 9d in each case. Eel Canning Industry. With the object of developing the eel canning industry, already launched in the Wairarapa, Mr. .1. W. Hayden, of Grey town, paid a visit to England. He returned recently, and, although disinclined Io discuss his visit, told a “Post,” reporter that, he felt convinced that, there was a big future for Ihe industry. In his latest report to Parlia ment, the Chief Inspector of Fisheries, Mr. A. E. Hefford, stated that Ihe existence of the Greytown Canning Com pany, with a plant specially intended for the treatment, of eels, indicated tnat in one quarter at least, the period of tentative small-scale trials was over and the industry definitely launched. Mr. Hefford stated that through information obtained from the High Commissioner it was evident, that eels weighing between Mb. ami lib. each would be in the greatest demand for the London market, and there would bo a, limited demand for eels between lib. and 21b. In Germany, where cols wore very largely retailed in the smoked state, the chief demand was for eels of 11b. to 141 b., but. those up to 21b. were quite acceptable. Frozen eels would fetch probably not. more Ilian 6d per