THE INSPECTOR OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.

West Coast Times, Issue 626, 26 September 1867, Page 2

THE INSPECTOR OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.

TO THE EDITOB OF THE WEST COAST TIMES.

Sic, — Having a large family, and, consequently, a consumer of a considerable quantity of provisions, I am very glad to perceive an Inspector has at last come to Hokitika, not a day too soon, I can assure you; but when he has tested and stamped all the weights and measures, are his duties supposed to end ? Now, Sir, I have great cause to complain of short weight in bread. During the last ten months I have been dealing exclusively with one baker, and upon three occasions, at distant periods, I weighed several loaves of bread vrith the following results : — Cottage loaves 2 oz, short, and twists 4 oz. short, in the 4 lbs. Now, if my broad has always been so deficient, of which I have not the slijfatest doubt, my consumption averaging nine four pound loaves a a week, I have been defrauded- to the extent of Li 16s 7d. Again, in order to ascertain whether this was the only black sheep in the flock, I have within the last few days purchased )»y bread from another baker, and having Urns day weighed four small or 21b loaves, I find the result still worse, the deficiency being 8j ounces. May I ask, Mr Editor, how this evil is to be remedied ? is it the inspector's duty ? or if not, whoso ? In Victoria every baker is compelled to carry scales and weights with him, so that* the purchaser may have Ms bread weighed if he chooses, and their premises are frequently visited by tho police, who seize every loaf deficient in weight. Now, Sir, if the Municipal Couucil were to adopt a similar plan here, and sell the bread so forfeited at half-price, it would have the effect of benefitting the public and adding, to the revenue of the Corporation, or compelling just weight to the consumer. • Trusting you will consider this letter of sufficient public interest to give insertion in your paper, I am, Sir, Paterfamilias Hokitika, September 25, 1867.