,910 



Weights and Measures [no. 4, new series, 



localities where the Act did not as yet apply, and if the Metrical 

 system adopted, be one which conforms to English Weights and 

 Measures, compliance would be the more easily afforded. 



The Enactment should authorise only struck Measure, without 

 making heaped measure actually illegal. By clause 7, Act 5th and 

 6th, "Wm. IV. cap. 63, all bargains, sales, and contracts-made by the 

 heaped measure are declared null and void : and every person who 

 sells any article by the heaped measure, is liable to a penalty of £2. 

 Considering the repugnance of the Natives of India to struck measure, 

 it would not be advisable at present to make such stringent provi- 

 sions, but it should be distinctly notified that the system is adapted 

 only to struck measure, that no purchaser has a right to demand 

 any other, and that in any suit or action, where Measures of Capaci- 

 ty are called in question, the law will recognise none but struck 

 measure. It will also be of importance carefully to explain to the 

 Native trooops what the new Weights and Measures are, and that 

 none but struck measure will be recognised in rations or allowances. 



With regard to dealings in grain, there is no doubt that weighing 

 is a more accurate test of value than measurement, but the latter 

 is so much more expeditious and convenient, that it will always be 

 resorted to by the Natives of India, especially as long as the present 

 rudeness of their Balances remains unimproved. In England and 

 Ireland, corn is always sold by weight in the wholesale transactions 

 of large Towns, and many of the difficulties that occur in the Grain 

 Contracts of the Indian Commissariat would be .obviated, if their 

 purchases were made by weight. The sale of salt by weight, in 

 the levy of the Excise, should also be insisted on. 



Magistrates should be empowered under the new Act, to appoint 

 Inspectors, but no penalties should be inflicted except where the 

 Weights or Measures were tested in the presence of the Magistrate, 

 or his Deputy, and it would be well to deal leniently in all cases 

 where there was no wilful error, fraudulent intent, or repetition 

 of offence. 



It may be expected that when the time comes for enforcing the 

 operation of the Act, some attempt will be made in the large towns, 

 to resist it, by a combination of the grain dealers to close their shops 

 as has been tried on some occasions with success. Provision for 

 this should be made in the Act. 



