DUNEDIN GASWORKS.

Evening Star, Issue 3227, 24 June 1873, Page 2

DUNEDIN GASWORKS.

To the Editor, Sir —Referring to the case at the City Police Court on Friday last, reported in your issue of Saturday, against Jones, Darrell, and Neal, for delivering coal at the Gasworks from off drays not having the correct tare weight painted, I may observe that for the month of May there was a deficiency in weight of 1871b upon every ton of coal charged for as delivered at the Works, making a total deficiency of twenty-one tons during the month, which at 40s a ton—the contract price—represents L 42 in money for that month. The coal charged for as delivered for about two months prior to May amounts to 504 tons. Taking short weights on this quantity at the above rate—which I think may be fairly done —the deficiency is forty-two tons, representing LB4 in money, which being added to the L 42, making L 126 that 1 should have lost in three months if the fraud had not been discovered. The Corporation may possibly see their way to amending the City Bye-laws, so as to protect the public from such imposition. I, of course, look to my contractors, Messrs J. and D. Findlay, to make good the loss, as it is their duty te see that full weights are delivered; but many similar cases have probably occurred, and may occur again, unless something is done to prevent a repetition of such dishonorable actions. In the case of poor people it is a great hardship. It was quite by accident that I made the discovery, having heard of a deficiency of several hundredweight in a load of coal received by Messrs Findlay, by Messrs Watson and Gow. —I am, Ac., Henry Alers Hankby, By his Attorney, W. J. M. Larnach. Dunedin, June 23. P.S.— Since writing the above 1 have received from Messrs Watson and Oow a city weighbridge ticket, which runs thus ; 7th May, 1873. From Findlay To Watson and Gow OOAIf. cwt. qr. lb. Gross 30 1 0 Tare ... 7 0 0 Nett ... 23 1 0 The tare of the dray carrying such a load appeared at once to the experienced eyes of Messrs Watson and Gow to be very small, and they determined to pay sixpence in having the whole reweighed in their presence. The result, as shown on the ticket in my possession, gives the gross weight correct, 30cwt. Iqr., but the true tare JOcwt, j ergo, the coal 20cwt, Iqr., or only 3cwt. less than was in Messrs Findlay’s weigh bridge ticket, a modest and accidental way of making a profit. H. A. Hankev, By his attorney, W. J. M. Larnach. [Although our rule is not to publish letters that have previously appeared in other journals, we think the importance of the subject justifies us in reproducing Mr Lamach’s letter at his request.— Ed. E. S.]