SALE OF COAL AND WOOD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18458, 23 July 1923, Page 6

SALE OF COAL AND WOOD.

ENFORCING REGULATIONS. WELLINGTON PROSECUTIONS [BY J TELEGRAPH. —OWN COBBBSFONDENT.] ■'■' WELLINGTON. Saturday. ' Cases of more than usual interest to the housewife were heard *at the Magistrate's Court, when Mr. R. T. Bailey, who appeared for the Labour Department, stated that; they were the first cases taken under the provisions of the Weights and Measures Act Amendment, 1922, and that the department intended to strictly enforce the provisions of the Act and .the regulations. It would therefore be advisable for coal merchants and hawkers who sell coal and coke to study carefully the requirements of these regulations governing the sale and delivery of this ; commodity. '■""■'/' The first firm charged was Foley and Jordan, who pleaded guilty to delivering coal in bags not - properly closed and labelled. Mr. Bailey said : lit ; wa& important that those purchasing coal and coke should know the weight of coal and coke. The only means whereby , purchasers could know that they were getting correct weight was by means of coal and coke being weighed, then ; properly secured and labelled. A heavy penalty was not asked for, the cases being taken as a warning. His Worship convicted, and ordered the payment of costs, 7s. J. H. Goldsworthy, for failing to provide the proper docket and entry • for delivered coal was also ordered to pay costs." •' ' . , :'■■■ -' ■.' ' ■': R. Pratt; for delivering, coal in unclosed and unlabelled bags "was ordered to pay costs, 7s, and the Wellington South Coal, Wood and Coke Company was treated similarly. ..,.,. "', ' i . ; "". . The only, provision in last year's Act. referring to the sale of fuel; is that authorising the making of regulations, regulating the sale of . firewood, charcoal, coke, and coal,; and prohibiting the sale of' such articles exceot in accordance with the 'regulations. The ; regulations were gazetted' on March 22, the principal provision being that no person shall sell firewood, coke, or- coal by description which is false, as to the sort of firewood, coke, or coal;"' ; or sell or:deliver'•■■wet; coke or coal with intent to 'defraud: the ; purchaser as to weight; or sell : or deliver firewood, coke, ?or ' coal ;'■;short of the -quantity • pur- ; chased. ,'Coke or coal -hawked on any vehicle mufrii be carried 'in- closed - : sacks, each sack bearing '• a r metal I label -contain-; ing a statement of the weight. The -pro\vision >in regard "j. to •! labelling applies ' to; the delivery, of coal ■ or coke unless ; the driver is furnished with ii docket setting" forth',the names and addresses of seller. and purchaser, arid ' a statement of . the' •weight: and description of .the; coke or coal. ;f Provision is mads for the enforcement of "'the regulations by inspection. .