Tricks of Trade in Sydney.

Evening Star, Issue 7416, 11 January 1888, Page 3

Tricks of Trade in Sydney.

Mr J. W. Evans, Inspector of Weights and Measures, has sent to the Mayor of Sydney his report for the year for the metropolitan police districts. The following portions are of general interest, as showing how the public in large cities are sometimes victimised :

The taper measures objected to in my last report have been prohibited as tending to fraud, the opinion then given being strongly supported by the chief of the Standards Department, London—Mr li. J. Chancy—to whom I had referred for advice. lam further indebted to him for valuable information on other subjects kindly presented to me. lam anxious that the inspectors in the country districts will assist me in the suppression of taper measures of capacity by refusing to stamp them if submitted, and insist on all waving parallel sides and flat bottoms, as without their assistance my best efforts will be futile.

The enforcing of the Coal Delivery Act as promised has been conducive to tho best results, protecting alike tho public and the honest dealer. I would urge upon purchasers to test their coal by weighing it and to insist upon its delivery in sacks ; otherwise short weight may be expected. The utility of the Coal Act points out tho need of one to deal with firewood. A short Act was counted out last session. I hope its necessity will lead to its being re-submitted at an early date. I have also received from Canada a comprehensive collection of books and reports, with instructions to inspectors, affording valuable information, as also the laws relating to adulteration of food. There every weighing machine has its number registered under most stringent rules, scales being subjected to practical working test defined by law. Packages must contain their proper quantity; canned goods must have makers’ name, date of filling, and quantity of contents, subject to heavy penalties. The adulteration of food is restricted by keen legislation ; the sale and manufacture of gas is under State and municipal control; meters and gas tested by experts, altogether a long way in advance of everything in the colonics, and might bo most advantageously copied by us. Butterinc, etc., appears to be singled out for severe treatment. A very short but significant Act deals with it thus: “ No oleomargarine, butterine, or other substitute for butter manufactured from any animal substance other than milk, shall be manufactured in Canada or sold therein ” under heavy penalties. The need must have been imperative to induce so stringent a provision. In most of tho United States it is cither prohibited or heavily taxed, as it appears by force of competition or other causes liable to relapse into unhealthy conditions.

An important decision given in the Supreme Court here on a prohibition order states that a cart is not a stall under the Bread Act. Therefore, any baker can make light-weight bread, put it in the cart before sunrise, and keep the cart in a road. The inspector is then powerless to act. This should not be, as it admits of very sharp practice. Serious complaints of package goods being under their proper weight are continually being brought under my notice. As costly scales do not imply proper weight being given, in justice to the respectable dealer regulations might fairly be applied to this matter.