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Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 399, 10 November 1868, Page 2

Ahowg-st other Acts which have recently come into operation, as the result of the last session of the Q-oneral Assembly, is one to consolidate and amend the laws relating to weights and measures, and, as this is a [subject of special interest to the pubdie, we make an abstract of its principal provisions for general information. We may add that it comes into operation on the Ist of January next. After repealing the previous ordinances en this head, the third clause abolishes the measures severally called the " Winchester bushel," and the " Scotch ell," as well as heaped measure of all kinds. Provision is next made for standard weights and measures, by which all others are to be judged, and copies of them are to be furnished to inspectors and are to be accepted as true by all courts and persons. One Inspector is to be appointed for every province, county, borough, or district, or for so many more divisions as may from time to time be proclaimed iu the New Zealand Gazette, and the amount of salary and expenses to be paid to each is to be paid out of any moneys appropriated for that purpose by the General Assembly. All persons who are desirous to adjust any weights or measures in their possession, are at all times to have free access to the authorised copies on payment of a small fee. Wicker measures and glass, earthenware jugs or drinking cups are exempt from the operation of the Act, but all other measures used must be submitted to the Inspector, aud stamped by him if found correct. In every bargain, sale, or dealing, after the Act comes into operation, the standard weights here laid down are to be accepted by every one, but in the sale of flour and oatmeal, as now, two thousand pounds is to be accepted as a ton avoirdupois. G-old, silver, diamonds, platinum, and other precious stones are to be sold by troy weight, and drugs are excepted from the operation of the Act. Coals, coke, culm, charcoal, and cannel of every description are to be sold by weight, and .not by measure, and all dry goods

or merchandise sold by measure are to be s,trAick off by a stick of the same diameter from end to end. Every weight or moasuro used is to have the exact weight legibly marked on tbe top or side in plain figures, and in no jfcase are any to be used that have not been submitted to the Inspector and tested ; and tins applies not only to those districts where an Inspector is appointed, but to every other place where business is carried on. Lead or pewter weights, or any mixture of these two metals, are absolutely prohibited, unless they are wholly cased wifcb brass, copper, or iron, and legibly stamped with the word "cased." All other weights are liable to seizure and forfeiture. Buyers by reputedly correct measures may require the contents of any such vessel to be compared, and if found deficient in capacity, the owner may, on conviction, be subject to the penalties imposed on persons using light weights or measures.. Justices of the Peace and Inspectors are authorised to search for false weights and measures, which, on being found, are forfeited. Any person using, or having in his possession even, any weight or measure, other than authorised by the Act, or which has not been marked by the Inspector) or is found with light or unjust scales or measures, is liable to a penalty not exceeding ten pounds. If any person wilfully obstruct, resist, hinder, or oppose any Inspector in the execution of his office, or refuses to produce and deliver any weights or measures for testing, he is liable also to a fine of £lO. Eorging or counterfeiting any stamp, brand, or mark may be fined one hundred pounds. Penalties and forfeitures imposed by the Act may be recovered in a summary manner before two or more' Justices of the Peace. One half the proceed is to he paid to the Inspector or informer, and the other to the credit of the Consolidated Fund. The fees for examining and comparing weights, including stamping, are as follow :—Each half-cwt. of brass 9d, of iron Gd; each quartercwt., brass 6d, iron 4d; each stone, 4d brass, 3d iron • weights under a stone, 2d brass, Id iron. Eor bushel measures 6d, half-bushel 4d, peck or less 2d, and each yard Id. Eor each five gals. Is, four gals. 9d, 3 gals. 6d, 2 gals. 4d, or less 2d. Eor beams, steelyards, and weighing machines, half-cwt. 6d, each additional half-cwt. 3d. A-; the above will be in force here as elsewhere in a few weeks, the subject will no doubt be of interest to the business men in the district, for that a large proportion of the weights and measures at present in use will then pass muster no one can for a moment imagine.