Northampton Mercury Friday 29^th November 1929, transcribed by Susan Manton

Watered Milk - Dishonest servant blamed at Wellingborough

Court on Friday that the action of a dishonest farm hand in making up stolen milk with water was responsible for the appearance of Frederick Collins, dairyman, Rushden, who was summoned for making milk containing 10.7% of added water, at Rushden, on October 12^th. Mr. H.W. Williams defended.

Mr. Walker, the inspector of weights and measures, said he bought the milk from the defendant’s float in the street. The analysis showed 10.7 per cent of added water.

Answering Mr. Williams, witness said he had never found anything the matter with the defendant’s milk before.

Mr. Williams said defendant purchased his milk from a farmer and had done so for many years. The farmer had taken into his employ a dishonest man – at the present time under remand on a charge and he had been stealing milk and adding water to make up the bulk. The farmer had always before supplied excellent milk.

Leslie Collins, son of the defendant, said the milk was just as he fetched it from the farm. Miss W. Seamark said the milk was not touched.

John William Smith, Wymington, said he supplied milk to Mr. Collins. He had in his employ a man who was dishonest and at the present time was under remand.

Northampton Mercury Friday October 13^th 1939, transcribed by Susan Manton

Deficient milk - Three Rushden Dairymen Fined

Three Rushden dairymen were each fined £1 and 10s 6d costs at Wellingborough Petty sessions today (Friday) for selling milk without sufficient fat content.

Mr. A. E. Waller (chief inspector of weights d measures) who prosecuted, said he sent a circular in May to all milk retailers pointing out that there had been prosecutions for selling milk without sufficient fat. The circular was sent with the object of assisting retailers to avoid action against them and advised proper stirring of the milk to ensure a right proportion of cream.

The three cases involved Edward Warren of 12, High Street, summoned for selling through his servant, Frederick Maurice Mead, milk deficient to the extent of 11.6 per cent; Frederick Collins, of 196 Wellingborough Road, summoned for selling milk through his servant Leslie Collins, deficient to the extent of 29 per cent; and Walter Mayes, of 32, Spencer Road summoned in respect of a deficiency of 11.3 per cent; each at Rushden on September 11^th.

Douglas Thompson, Kettering inspector of weights and measures, gave evidence of purchasing the milk from each retailer and sending samples to the public analyst whose certificates he produced.

Warren told the bench he could no understand it, as it was always extraordinarily good milk. “I received the milk from the farmer and sold it as I received it” he said. He added that the milk in question came from the bottom of the pail.

Leslie Collins said he brought the milk which the inspector sampled from Warren, as the presence of evacuees had created a bigger demand.

When Mayes complained about the conduct of the inspector, the Clerk (Mr. F.J. Simpson) advised him to make his complaints to the appropriate department of the County Hall, Northampton.

Mercury and Herald Thursday 14^th April 1949, transcribed by Susan Manton

Excess Milk Brings Fine of £35

“The Bench are tied to some extent on the penalty because there must not be a profit made out of the transaction” said Mr. R.D. Pendered (chairman) at Wellingborough Magistrates’ Court announcing a fine of £35 plus £6 6s advocate’s fee when Leslie Frederick Collins, milk retailer, 125 Cromwell Road, Rushden, was summoned for selling milk contrary to the Milk (Control) and Maximum Prices Order at Rushden between October 2^nd and December 25^th 1948.

Mr. L.F. Hales (Messrs. Toller Son and Hales, Kettering) defended Collins, who pleaded not guilty.

Captain J.S. Parker (Messrs. J.T. Parker and Son, Wellingborough) who prosecuted for the Ministry of Food, said defendant had  permit allowing him to purchase from a wholesaler 134 gallons of milk a week, but it was alleged that he obtained milk in excess of this amount. The estimated profit from the excess milk sold was £41 13s 6d.

When he was interviewed, defendant said he had pneumonia and the business had to be carried on by his wife and son. He was sorry for what had happened.

Submission Overruled

James William Thorpe, regional milk inspector, 101, South Knighley Road, Leicester, gave evidence and in cross-examination agreed that the permits were in favour of Mr. F. Collins, 196 Wellingborough Road, Rushden. He was not aware he died on May 8^th 1947.

Kathleen Cobb, a Wellingborough food office clerk, said no notification was received that Mr. F. Collins had died.

Answering Mr. Hales, witness said she was not employed on the job until August 1948.

Pointing out that his submission did not refer to matters he had brought before the court, Mr. Hales submitted that the paragraph under which the summons had been taken out did not permit of any penalty.

Capt. Parker did not call any evidence and said the food office was acquainted of the death of  Mr. Collins’s father although the food office apparently did not mind licences being issued in the name of a dead man. At the time of the alleged offences his client was seriously ill and he regretted what had occurred.