SHORT MEASURE AND LIGHT WEIGHT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 147, 13 June 1876, Page 2

SHORT MEASURE AND LIGHT WEIGHT.

To thb Editok or thb ' Etbnino Mail. Sib— ln your issue of Saturday last, M Eoquirer " asks to be informed why it is that when he goes to a thop to buy a pound of woollen yarn, he gets only 12 ounces. Well, air, I deem it a very proper question ; and as I think I am in a position to throw some light upjn the matter,, I ihall try to do so. A head of woollen yarn (or what is called a pound) should weigh 16 ounces— an 1 did bo in former times— but, through the instrumentality of , unprincipled 'dealer*, the weight was first reduced to about 14 ounces by leiBening the size of the thread ; and Utterly was still further reduced by lessening the number of threads in each skin, I. deem it proper here to stite, tu«t a head of wool should contain twelve skeins, but does not always do so ; and a skein should contain sixty threads ; but I feel assured that fifty threads will be found to be the ru'e. This is but one of the manifold trade frauds that are largely practised ; and although the law, does not seem to take cognizance of the villainy, it is to my mind as heinous an offsnca an is robbery, forgery, or fraudulent bankruptcy, and ought to be c'a«sed amonsr punidhablo offences. Nevertheless, although seemingly not punishable by law, there is a remedy, which I shall suggest at a future time. I am, &c, Jambs P. Black. Nelson, Jane 12, 1876.