Locomotives on Highways. 



405 



29,452 were of milk, as compared with 26,143 in 1901. The 

 number of milk samples reported against was 3,427, or 1 1'6> 

 per cent., this being the highest rate of milk adulteration re- 

 corded for any year since 1893. Legal proceedings were in- 

 stituted in respect of 1,939 of the adulterated samples, and there 

 were 1,545 convictions, the penalties amounting in the aggre- 

 gate to £3,783, including 266 fines of £$ and upwards. Cream 

 samples were taken in 150 instances, of which 69 were reported 

 to contain boric acid, while of 176 samples of condensed milk 

 examined 17 were condemned. 



The number of samples of butter tested was 13,387, or 1,449 

 more than in 1901. Adverse reports were made in 865 cases,, 

 or 6*5 per cent, of the number examined, as against 10*3 per 

 cent, in 1901 and 7*8 per cent, in 1900. Analyses were also 

 made of 1,048 margarine samples, of which 81, or 77 per cent, 

 were found to be adulterated, this figure comparing very un- 

 favourably with that for 1901, when only r6 per cent, of the 

 margarine samples analysed were reported against. 



The analyses of cheese amounted to 1,797, adulteration being 

 detected in i m g per cent, of the samples examined, as compared 

 with im in 1 901. 



Among other articles examined may be noticed 552 samples 

 of bread, 565 of flour, 244 of oatmeal, and 2,105 °f l arc », the 

 numbers reported against being 2, 8, o, and 33 respectively. 



The use of preservatives or colouring matters was reported in 

 1,190 samples taken under the Acts, including 386 of milk and 

 cream, and 579 of butter and margarine ; 940 of the samples 

 contained boracic acid or its preparations, 83 contained salicylic 

 acid, 75 contained formic aldehyde, and 92 contained some: 

 other preservative or colouring matter. 



Construction of Wheels of Locomotives on 

 Highways. 



The Local Government Board issued on the 21st November- 

 last an Order permitting, under certain conditions, the use of 

 locomotives on highways the driving wheels of which are shod 

 with wooden blocks. The new Order rescinds the Orders of 

 the 26th November, 1897, and the 4th November, 1898, and 



H H 2 



