Northampton Mercury Saturday April 21^st 1877, transcribed by Susan Manton

Diseased Meat

The commissioners of Sewers of the City of London desire to call attention to the following Report from their solicitors, received on the 10^th day of April instant, in the hope that, by the Publication of the same, Persons resident in the country may be warned against the Commission of such offences. In several cases of a like character, Judges and Magistrates have, on Conviction, sentenced the offenders to Imprisonment for six months and even for Twelve months, and Penalties of £40, £50 and £200.

“To the Commissioners of Sewers of the City of London.
Church Court Chambers,
Old Jewry,
London, E.C. 10^th April 1877

“Gentlemen

I beg to Report, that in pursuance of your instructions I have taken proceedings against ‘George Henry Skinner’ a butcher of Rushden Northamptonshire, for sending Meat to the London Markets, for sale as human food, the same being unwholesome and unfit for the food of man.

The case was heard at the Guildhall Justices Room before Alderman McArthur M.P. on the 23^rd March last, who fined the defendant £13 3s (Fine £10 and costs 3 guineas)

I have etc
A. J. Baylis
Sewers Offices, Guildhall,
By order of the Commissioners of Sewers of the City of London.
Henry Balke, principle clerk.
London April 12^th 1877