278 CULTIVATION AND MANUFACTURE OF TEA. 



At Custom House (as detailed) by adding 7 ounces 



of nails or hoop iron make Ibs. oz. 



Gross ... 143 2 



The tare will thereby necessarily be) ~ 



J I 1 are ... 42 14 



increased 7 oz. and become 



Weight tea as before ... 100 4 



lbs.~ 

 These weights are written at [ Gross ... 143 



Custom House ... | Tare ... 43 



Weight of Tea found by Customs is ... 100 pound 8 

 which is a loss of 4 ounces only as stated. 



Were the plan feasible, the gain to the Indian planters 

 would be large. Say this year (1883), fifty-seven million 

 pounds are imported, and ninety pounds per chest is taken 

 as the average, this gives over 600,000 chests, and 12 ounces 

 saved on each = 450,000 pounds, of Tea, which at 12 annas 

 per pound, Rs. 3,37,000. 



The gain to the Customs would be 450,000 sixpences = 

 ^11,250. 



This increase to the Customs would be attained by 

 simply (though still keeping under the actual weight of 

 Tea in each chest) taking the contents more correctly. 



The above shows, if figures will show anything, that 

 a great loss to both the producer and Customs takes place 

 by the system in vogue. As the only object of the Customs 

 shoidd be to arrive at the true weight of Tea in the most 

 expeditious and simple way, how very absurd is the system 

 pursued ! What the tare is can in no way signify to them ; 

 all they really want is the weight of the Tea. The absurdity 

 of the system is proved by the fact (demonstrated) that the 

 results to both producer and Customs can be altered by the 

 addition or subtraction in the Custom-house of a few nails ! 

 How easy to weigh the Tea itself! What possible objection 

 can exist ? 



