SHORT WEIGHTS.

Evening Star, Issue 3226, 23 June 1873, Page 2

SHORT WEIGHTS.

To the Editor. Sib.—The late Police Court case, Larnach v. certain coaJL carters, discloses a state of things not at all uncommon in Dunedin. I, for one, know that Mr Larnach is not the only buyer of coal who has been swindled in some way or other, but perhaps it will not be prudent for me at present to mention names. I have heard several complaints of short weight from persons who could ill afford to pay for more than they receive of this rather expensive article of daily consumption. 1 have myself found (after the trouble of weighing) that I had 8 cwt. 3 qrs. 8 lb. of Newcastle coals delivered to me for half a toi)> but of course this mistake (?) could be easily explained away, and proper weight promised for the future. Being myself the only witness to the weight, I considered I was not in a position to do much. Now, Mr Editor, it is not an easy matter for every customer to weigh the coal delivered to him or her, although they may from the bulk suspect short weight, consequently most people have to chance it, relying altogether on the honesty of the coal merchant. Now, I sincerely hope that Mr Larnach's case may not rest with the mere fining of the carters 5s each. It is high time that something was done to protect the public against these mistakes (?) seeing that the weigh bridge (which it was fondly hoped would keep the public safe) is no protection whatever. Hoping that some one more able than myself will take this matter up and thoroughly ventilate it through your columns, which I know are open for every public grievance, I remain yours, &&, Coalhole. Dunedin, June 23.