168 REPORT OF THE No. 3 



measured and certified as to quality. The Governor was authorized to 

 appoint persons at the ports of Quebec and Montreal as Master Cullers and 

 measurers of board and plank, staves, timber, masts and spars respectively, 

 as well as at other places in the Province if it should be thought desirable. 



Lumber Cullers. 



The same person may be appointed Master Culler of more than one of the 

 descriptions of lumber specified. The duty of these officials was personally 

 or by deputy to ascertain the quality and dimensions of the article submitted 

 to their inspection, to reject such as were in any respect defective according 

 to the definitions laid down in the Act, and give a true and faithful account 

 in writing of the number-, quality and dimensions of the articles found to 

 be merchantable, which was to be final and conclusive between buyer and 

 seller. Those engaged in the lumber trade were authorized to retain in 

 their exclusive service master cullers and measurers specially licensed, but 

 in such case those delivering lumber to them had the right to object to the 

 culler and insist upon inspection by a public official. 



The Act proceeded to define the standard which should determine the 

 mercantile quality of lumber in the absence of any specific agreement 

 between buyer and seller. Those relating to some of the more important 

 staples were as follows : 



Tiviber Standards. 



"Square oak timber shall not be less than twenty feet in length and 

 ten inches square for measurement, and shall be free from rot, rings, shakes 

 and other defects, properly squared and butted. Square pine timber shall 

 not be less than twenty feet in length, and not less than twelve inches square 

 for measurement, and shall be free from rot, bad knots, shakes, and other 

 defects, and properly squared and butted; Pine boards shall not be less than 

 ten feet in length, and not less than eight inches in breadth, equally broad 

 from end to end, edged by the saw or neatly trimmed by a straight line, free 

 from rot, sap stains, bad knots, rents and shakes, and of an equal thickness on 

 both sides from end to end. Pine plank shall not be less than ten feet 

 long, nor less than six inches in breadth, equally broad from end to end, 

 edged by the saw or neatly trimmed by a straight line, free from rot, sap 

 stains, bad knots, rents, and shakes, and an equal thickness on both sides 

 from end to end." 



Timber Brands. 



Provision was made for the stamping of all timber and lumber inspected 

 and found up to the standard of merchantable articles, with the letter "M." 

 Persons shipping timber of any description for exportation which had not 

 previously been culled and measured were liable to a penalty not exceeding 

 £100 and not less than £10, and Justices of the Peaca were authorized to 

 issue warrants for the seizure of such lumber on the information of any 

 culler or measurer or any other person. 



Seconds. 



The Act appears to be somewhat loosely drawn, and to be encumbered 

 with provisoes, which must greatly have interfered with its effectiveness. 

 The first section comprises the following : '^Provided also that iiothing con- 

 tained in this Act shall be construed to prevent the shipment of any article 



12a LM. 



