43

H.— B\

being used. In all, 1,653 samples were examined, and a summary of the results is appended. From this it is obvious that there is no need tojalter the standard for milk-fat-of 3-25- per., cent., even in the spring months. To carry out the provisions of the Food and Drugs Act it will be necessary to retain the services of special .Inspectors, and increase the staff of the laboratory.

AUCKLAND DISTRICT. . . .Operations under the Sale of Food and Drugs Act, 1908, are as under :— Samples collected foe Analysis. Alcoholic Liquors. Whisky at Ngaruawahia, April 5, 1909. Kopu, April 26, 1909. Whangarei, April 20, 1909. Auckland (3), November 3, 1909. Hamilton, November 18, 1909. Beer at Hamilton West, April 5, 1909. Kopu, April 26, 1909. Whangarei, April 20, 1909. Brandy at Hamilton West, April 5, 1909. Kopu, April 26, 1909. Whangarei, April 20, 1909. Wine (Australian) : Four samples taken, and sent to Head Office laboratory for examination. Jam. Raspberry-pulp (4 samples), September, 1909. Raspberry-jam (3 samples). (For sulphur-dioxide and salicylic acid.) Lime-water. Six samples of lime-water by as many different makers were collected on the 17th September, and were submitted to Dr. Maclaurin, who reported that two were slightly below the standard as to lime (CaO), and that, whereas the Pharmacopoeia requires lime-water to be prepared with distilled water, all had been made with ordinary water. Foodstuffs seized. Meat. 6 cases of tinned meat, April 29, 1909 (destroyed). 2 pork pies, January 28, 1910 (destroyed). « 9 kegs of corned beef (returned from Apia), March 31, 1910 (destroyed). Fruit. 386 cases of oranges, March 30, 1910 (destroyed). Bread and Flour. 540 bags of rice-meal, March 19, 1910 (condemned as human food). 700 bags of flour, March 22, 1910 (containing weevils : ordered to be silk-dressed). . ' Cheese. 2,730| cases of cheese which were salvaged from the wreck of the s.s. " Kaipara " were seized and kept under observation until the results of the reconditioning process adopted by the buyers could be examined. Ultimately 2,034 cases were passed as fit for consumption, and the -remainder were condemned. Prosecutions. A milk-vendor at Devonport was fined £5, with costs, for selling milk to which water had .been added. Milk-supply. Samples of milk were taken from farms in various localities, as under, and were submitted to the Dominion Analyst for examination : — In October .. ... .. .. .. .. .. .... 108 ~ November.. .. .. .. .. .. . .. 125 „ December .. . . . . . . . . . . . . 198 ~' . . . Total .. '.. .. .. .. .... 431