THE STANDARD CORNSACK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5993, 30 July 1887, Page 7

THE STANDARD CORNSACK.

Deputation to tlie Hon E. Richardson.

This morning Messrs John Cooke, F. Graham, H. W. Peryman, J. Milne, and J. Gammaok, the deputation appointed at the recent Conference of the Chamber of Commerce and the Corn Exchange on tho subject of an alteration in the size of the standard cornsack, waited on the Hon E. Richardson at tho Public Works office.)

Mr Peryman said that there was a concensus of opinion throughout Australasia as to tho propriety of altering the capacity of the standard wheat sack from 2401 b to 2001 b. At a joint meeting of the Chamber of Commerce and Corn Exchange, it had been agreed to ask Mr Richardson whether, if this alteration were made, the Government would carry on the i\iilways twelve of the new sacks for the same price as was now charged for ten of the larger ones. The alteration was very desirable from several points of view, especially from a humanitarian one, as the present sacks were really much too heavy for a man to handle. The Corn Exchange intended to take steps to get the signatures of the farmers throughout the country who were in favour of the proposed alteration.

Mr Cooke said that there had been a very fair consensus of opinion that an alteration was desirable. There was, however, a difference of opinion. Auckland, for instance, had declined to agree to it, the reason apparently being that the people there were afraid that it would lead to an alteration in regard to the mode of carrying of grain thither by sea. In addition to the reason in favour of the alteration mentioned byMr Peryruan it mu3t be borne in mind that there was a deal of loss from leakage from the sacks, caused by the use of hooks in handling. The importers were generally in favour of the proposed change, but some opposition came from the millers. All that the deputation wished to know was whether, if there was a fair consensus of opinion on the part of farmers, dealers, and importers in favour of the alteration, the Government would be prepared to make a change in the railway regulations, so as to carry an equivalent weight, though a greater number of sacks, for the same money as at present.

The Hon E. Richardson asked if it were proposed to apply the new sacks to oats and barley, as well as wheat.

Mr Cooke said that it was,

The Hon E. Richardson said that as fourteen sacks of oats, twelve of barley, or ten of wheat -went to the ton, the introduction of the change would involve considerable complications. There was no doubt that it was highly desirable for several reasons, to reduce the size of the sacks, and the matter had already received tho attention of the Department. It the general trade of the country went in for this particular sized sack, there would be no difficulty in settling the question of railway carriage.

Mr Cooke said that that was all that the deputation wanted. The matter was by no means settled yet. Ho understood that there was an agitation amongst the milleis against the proposal, and the Government would not be a=ked to make any change unless the importers of cornsacks were satisfied that the great majority of the farmers were in favour of the alteration.

The Hon E. Richardson said that the alteration would be a boon all round if it could be managed, but to introduce it public opinion must be fairly unanimous in its favour.

Mr Cooke said he wished to draw attention to the inaccuracy in weighing at the railway weighbridges at Lyttelton, which had caused a deal of trouble during the past two years. The evil arose chiefly, he believed, from erroneous tares.

The Hon E. Richardson asked if Mr Cookc referred to the weighv£ of coals or of wheat. . ~

Mr Coofee said he was referring to wheat,

The Hon E. Richardson said that a considerable alteration was made in the weight of the tracks by the variations of the weather. The trucks were regularly tested to ascertain their correct weight.

Mr Graham said that he had heard that, in the hurry of weighing, the waggons were sometimes not uncoupled, and this might lead to mistakes.

After some further conversation, Mr Gammack said that he quite agreed that the variation in the weight of trucks, owing to changes in the weather, was very great. Mr Cooke said that this would not account for the whole of the inaccuracies lie had mentioned.

The Hon E. Richardson said that if that was the case there was something wrong, and he would mention the matter to the Traffic Manager. The deputation thanked Mr Richardson, and withdrew. '