SHORT WEIGHT IN COAL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2871, 8 September 1916, Page 6

SHORT WEIGHT IN COAL

A WARNING TO DEALERS.

In view of tho increase in the cost of living, occasirincd by the war, the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. G. W. Russell) has been inquiring into the question of the weight of coal. •The .information ho has obtained is that in coal-yards usually only 31b. net is allowed. for the weight of each of the sacks', and actual tests show that the sacks usually average not less than 61b. each, and in some cases more. When coal is delivered, the delivery docket is marked at per weight, the customer receiving iisually_ a ticket showing the weight of coal delivered to him. On one occasion a test waß made of coal supplied to the Government Buildings, when it was found that fouj of the sacks were not less than 311b. altogether. On a' two-ton order of forty sacks this would moan a net shortage in tho weight of coal delivered of 2cwt. 161b. -

Under Section 24 of tho "Weights and Measures Act, 1908, it is provided that charcoal, coke and coal shall be' sold by weight, and tho Minister has been advised by the Crown Law officers that the fraudulent salo of short weight amounts to the indictable offence of (ibtaining money by false pretences, and this has several times been decided in England in refenect of coal and other merchandise. In view of the increase in the price of coal caused by tho war. and the unfair cffect that the sale oi short-weight coal has upon families throughout .the' Dominion, the Minister of Internal Affairs is issuing the present warning to dealers in coal, so that the full amount which is ordered by customers and charged against them may be supplied to the people throughout the country.