Council Communications, 1889, Item 1146. May 13, 1889. James French submitting complaints regarding the adulteration of milk, namely the quality of milk sold in the city, thin, watery and blue. To His Worship the Mayor and Council of the City of Winnipeg Gentlemen: Since the freight competition on land and water, salt has been selling so very low, that it is sometimes said that, milk-men feed it too freely to their cows, causing the poor animals to drink very unusual quantities of water (you know) which seems to greatly affect their supply of milk, which too often have no other tempting recommendation than its thin, blue-white color. The people with whom I board get their supply of so-called milk from one McDonald, I think, who I believe keeps a large number of cows, but I am well convinced in my own mind that, one hundred gallons of such a union would not contain one quart of good cream. I would suggest to the council that Mr. English be supplied with the necessary testors and by allowing him something extra for this additional duty, he could test all such so-called milk, and a few such tests would I have no doubt have a great tendency to open the evil here complained of. If the grocers and bakers are to be looked after why not the milkmen as well, for nothing more generally enters into consumption than milk, and there is nothing more unhealthy or injurious as this wishy-washy kind of milk and water and clearly demonstrates that union is not always strength. From yours very truly James French Winnipeg, Manitoba 13th May 1889 Pathways Exhibit - Milk Matters - Page 1