GRAIN WEIGHTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2396, 1 February 1900, Page 15

GRAIN WEIGHTS.

(Southern Standard, January 23.)

The question of testing grain weights i& one that has been in the minds of our farmers for a long time, and which sooner or later must be thrashed out. It appears that it is no uncommon thing for a farmer to weigh grain at Gore and Mataura, and when re-weighed at the Bluff -to find that he is borae bushels ©ut between the weights recorded at the former places. And further, that when the grain arrives in London the weights given there are entirely at variance with those here. This clearly shows that the matter requires looking into. At the meeting of the Gore Farmers' Club on Saturday, this subject was brought up, and from what could be gathered, the time for testing the weight of grain consignments has arrived, and should be delayed no longer. One of the speakers said that he had known consignments of grain to be tested at Mataura by Messrs Mac Gibbon, Sherwood and the Railway department, and when tested at their destination the weights did not tally with the first tests. Wherever the fault lies in this matter, there is apparently room for complaint, as a good many farmers suffer thrcnigh this defection Grain when in transit is liable to depreciate a little in weight, but not to the extent as. was stated at Saturday's meeting, and it was generally conceded that if an inspector were appointed to test the weights at Gore the difficulty would be met. We are of opinion that if a, Government weighbridge were established m Gore, and placed under the charge of a competent inspector the difficulty would be smoothed over, as it is hardly likely thaff the weights would be much at variance by the time the grain reached -the Bluff. But, however, careful the authorities may be on this side of the water in testing th© weights, there is one matter that can hardly be rectified, and that is the equality of the weights recorded in London and those that were given out as correct before the consignment left the colony. As most people know, our grain is carried by sailers, and the cargoes are of necessity a long time on the water ; consequently, the sea air may have some effect on the grain,, and, perhaps, cause it to shrink a little, and hence the difference in weight. It will thus be seen that the weights tested on both sides of the water will, to a great extent, always differ, and if that be so no one is to blame, as climatic influences cannot be avoided. But a reform can assuredly be brought about in the matter of having the

weights correct between Gore and the port of loading, and as the Farmers' Club intend to agitate in the matter they will, no doubt, receive consideration at the hands of the Government, especially as Mr M'Nab ha-s been spoken to on the subject, and from what was stated at the meeting, that gentleman would be only too glad to approach the Government on the farmers' behalf, and get the matter . nut straight.