200 TlMEHRI. 



In introducing the motion Mr. Coronel stated that there 

 had been a feeling among the black people since the 

 riots, that the Portuguese were selling food that was not 

 wholesome. He did not think the shopkeepers were to 

 blame, but if an analysis could be easily obtained the 

 matter might be settled to the satisfaction of both buyer 

 and seller. The adulteration law in this colony had be- 

 come a dead letter, as it had never been brought into 

 operation. 



Archdeacon Austin seconded the motion for the sake 

 of discussion. He said that water had been carefully 

 examined, and it would be a pity if the food question 

 should be left untouched. 



Mr. Luke M. Hill said that the Adulteration A6T; had 

 not been carried out from there being no Government 

 Analyst. The Government Chemist charged $10 for an 

 analysis to the outside public, but there was a special 

 provision by which a sample of any suspected substance 

 might be delivered to a police or sanitary officer, who 

 would procure an analysis free of any expense. If any 

 person, therefore, wished to have a sample examined, all 

 that he had to do was to take it to one of these officers. 



Mr. Coronel thought this formality was too trouble- 

 some. A person might like to have an analysis, even 

 when there was no cause for suspicion, so as to satisfy 

 himself. 



The Chairman deprecated any troublesome interference 

 with business, which might occur from a Government 

 official going into shops to take away samples. The 

 general principle was that the buyer should look after 

 his own interests. 



Archdeacon Austin, with consent of Mr. Coronel, then 



