CORRESPONDENCE. THE STAFF OF LIFE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 290, 21 August 1873, Page 6

CORRESPONDENCE. THE STAFF OF LIFE.

(To the Editoi'.) Sib, — A letter, bearing the signature " A Sufferer," appeared in your issue of the 7th instant, setting forth that short- weight bread is sold in this town and district, and also that the quality is very inferior. To the truth of the latter assertion I can bear witness ; and as to the former, it will be remembered that some years ago a sudden raid was made by a stranger inspector, and that several of our townsmen were fined in various sums for offering for sale short-weight bread. It appears that we have living in our midst an Inspector of Weights and Measures, in the person of our muchrespected friend, Sergeant Morton — a member of the police force, who has upon so many occasions distinguished himself in the discharge of dangerous police duties, both afloat and ashore, and 'actually in the sea, that I presume he does not care about visiting the bakers and weighing their bread, much less the duty of setting up a workshop, donning the apron, and correcting iron and brass weights. Moreover, it appears that an inspector of weights, &c, having sundry small fees to collect, has to pay the amounts received by him daily into the bank, and as these fees are oftentimes as small as threepence, I do not wonder at any officer shirking a duty clogged with so absurd a condition. I would not not charge Sergeant Morton with having shirked his duty, for I believe that to be contrary to his nature; but I believe he has not performed his duties as Inspector, for the simple reason that he has never been placed in a position so to do. The fact is, it should be made a municipal matter. It is a disagreeable office, but a necessary one, and the powers should be handed over to town - councils, who could then appoint the town clerk or inspector of nuisances to the inspectorship, and it would then be the fault of tbe public if short-weight continued to be palmed off upon the community. As regards the question of quality, I am satisfied that the bakers and the public would be the gainers by the bread being raised in price a penny or twopence the 41b. loaf, and a, really good article being supplied. — I am, &c, Tbue Economy.