THE INSPECTOR OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.

West Coast Times, Issue 691, 11 December 1867, Page 3

THE INSPECTOR OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.

TO THB BDITOB OP THB WEST COAIT TIMES.

Sjb— ln your issue of this day you were pleased to entertain your readers, with, what you facetiously describo as one of the moafc •musing episodes in our local history, and you appeared shocked at my audacity in eeiiing measures belonging to the most respectable tradesmen i m the town; and you further assert thatthe most remarkable feature about the whole thing « that nobody waa accused of riio that the butahers have only been in the te iL°l U1 S g **?** b , alanc " """* 'teelywds to check the ialem»n'» •etiinata of weight.

Sir, my answer to the above is that you do nofc know the facts of the cases before the Court, or have been misinformed. Certain butchers not only use the balance and steelyards to check the meat as they receive it from the salesmen, but to dispose of the same to the shipping, packers and general con■umers. As an evidence of the above, I went through the town with a friend on Saturday night last and spring balances and steelyards where openly displayed in different shops and the law preventing any Inspector entering any house or-store after sun-set has prevented my interference with them. You also eiultingly assert that I did not accuse any per■on of cheating by false weights. My answer to this charge is, that I did read in open Court the result of my testing some of the spring balances with the imperial weights, One balance varied from 21bs. to 51bs. in every trial from 21bs. to 901b5., another varied from 4jlbs. to 7lbs. in every trial from lOlbs. to dOlbs. against the customer.

Sir, in my efforts to perform my duty to the public honestly aud fairly, I know of no distinction between rich drapers and poor shopkeepers. Since my arrival in Westlaud I have, here and at Q-reymouth, frequently worked from six in the morning till ten at night, when my time -was from ten till five, without benefit to myself, correcting unjust scales and weights for the benefit of the public. My duty is to test, and if correctj to stamp or brand, consequently I do consider the remarks in your paper uncalled for, particularly when considered that a part of my daty, if properly carried out, is sure to cause a bitter feeling against any person doing this duty. I am, &c, E. Davis.

De«embcr 10th, 1867.

llr Mark Sprot will give this evening, in aid of the Presbyterian Church Building Fund, " Readings from well-known Scotch Authors in Prose and Poetry." Mr Sprot has a rich field to reap from, and the entertainment he offers for a public purpose will, wo have no doubt, prove a very attractive one. Mr Sprot is full of vivacity as a reciter and a huinoriit.