SOLD STALE MILK

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21336, 7 February 1941, Page 6

SOLD STALE MILK

VENDOR FINED £2 “It seems to be simply a case of selling stale milk,” remarked Mr W. H. Freeman, S.M„ in the Magistrate's Court, Hamilton, to-day. when convicting a milk vendor, Harold Cumming, of Hamilton, £2. The Health Department officer, Inspector Julius J. Norman, produced an analyst's report showing that a sample of milk taken on December 17 did not comply with the regulations. It was conceded that the fat was above the standard required, but the sample failed to respond to the reductase test. In plain terms, it was stale, explained the inspector. Counsel for Cummings said defendant had been selling milk for 15 years and his milk was regularly tested. This was tne first time it had failed to comply with the standard. It was probable that the previous night's milk had been sold. The magistrate commented that the milk might have been kept even | longer. A fine of £2 would meet the offence. EXPLANATION ACCEPTED " Robert Ewebank Lord, of Hamilton. was charged with selling milk on December 17 that did not comply with the regulations. Inspector Norman said there was no lack of solids in the sample. The reductase test was to determine the degree of staleness. The sample stood up to the test for two hours. Mr C. Taylor, for Lord, contended that his client had taken all reasonable £teps to ensure that he was not gc.mm’.tting a breach oi the regula-

tions. He had been in the milk business for 20 years and had never previously been convicted. Sometimes it was necessary to use the previous night’s milk, but even then all reasonable steps were taken to ensure good quality. Lord detailed the procedure at the dairy to ensure cleanliness. The milk from which the sample was taken was drawn from the cows at* 4.30 to 5 o'clock the previous afternoon.. James Pulljr, sharemilker for A. Wilson. Silverdale, gave corroborative evidence. The magistrate said it seemed to him that reasonable precaution was taken. There was no suggestion in this case that the previous morning’s milk was used, even inadvertently. The case was dismissed. Mr J. Kane, audit inspector for the Taranaki district, has been transferred to the Auckland office of Ultt Audit Depart