WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. Bate to make experiments on the best combinaLetter from the Commissioners of Weights and substitute. These experiments occupied the retion of tin and copper which might serve as a Measures, dated 14th January, 1825, to J. C.mainder of the month of August. Herries, Esq., Secretary of the Treasury; transmitting, A Report of the Progress made in the preparation of the Models of the new Weights and Measures. London, January 14th, 1825. SIR, I am directed by the commissioners of weights and measures to transmit to you, for the information of the lords commissioners of his majesty's treasury, the enclosed report from Captain Kater, stating the progress which he has made in the preparation of the models of the new weights and measures, in pursuance of the directions contained in your letter of the 13th of July, 1824, enclosing a copy of a treasury minute, dated the 29th of June, 1824, respecting the steps necessary to be taken for carrying into effect the act 5th Geo. 4, for ascertaining and establishing uniformity of weights and measures. In consequence of the delay which unfortunately has occurred, from the difficulties which have been experienced in the construction of the new bushel measure, I am further directed to submit to you, for the consideration of the lords commissioners of his majesty's treasury, the propriety of bringing in a bill immediately after the meeting of parliament, to extend the time fixed by the act of last session, for carrying the provisions of the said act into execution. As Captain Kater now confidently hopes that the models will be completed and deposited at the Exchequer in the course of the month of February, the commissioners are of opinion, that if the period at which the new weights and measures are to be declared to be the only standards was postponed from the 1st of May, 1825, (the day fixed by the act of last session), to the 1st of January, 1826, sufficient time would be afforded for providing the models of the standard weights and measures required for the several counties and corporations of the United Kingdom, and for carrying into effect such of the enactments of the said act as are preliminary to the general establishment of the new standards. I have the honour to be, Your obedient humble servant, (Signed) GEORGE CLERK. J. C. Herries, esq., &c. &c. &c. Treasury. Having been requested to superintend the construction of the new models of weights and measures, and very unexpected delays having taken place in their execution, I beg to offer a short report of the progress which has been made, and of the impediments which have occurred. On the 16th August, the making of the models of weights and capacity was confined to Mr. Bate, Mr. Troughton, in consequence of his advanced age, having declined the undertaking. Brass being a metal peculiarly liable to injury from the atmosphere of London, I directed Mr. In the beginning of September I left London, tailed instructions respecting every particular having previously given Mr. Bate ample and denecessary for the construction of the models. On my return, early in October, I learnt from Mr. Bate, that he had applied to Mr. Donkin the beginning of September, and that Mr. D. had then undertaken to turn the models for the bushel, but that on the 5th of October, and not before, he informed Mr. Bate, that he declined the execution of his engagement. Mr. Bate then proceeded to have models for the bushel cast by the best founders in London; but most unexpectedly, out of twelve which were cast in various modes, only one proved suffici ently sound to be employed; the metal, on the removal of the exterior crust, appearing full of small holes of various sizes. The attempt to con quer the difficulties of this part of the work occupied the remainder of October, the whole of November, and the greater part of December. In the mean time, Mr. Bate proceeded with the other measures of capacity, and with the weights; but as these presented no difficulties, his chief attention was directed to perfecting the bushel. Two troy pounds were made, which I compared, on the 28th October, with the standard troy pound at Mr. Whittam's, in Abingdonstreet. These weights were intended merely as the means of obtaining a near approximation to the avoirdupois pound, and to the weight of a gallon of distilled water. On the 20th December, Mr. Bate reported, that he had six avoirdupois pounds ready, all the troy weights, and the subdivisions of the troy pound, to grains. It had been my intention to ascertain the capacity of the bushel by measurement, and I had employed myself in constructing the apparatus necessary for that purpose; but as it did not appear probable that the difficulties in casting the bushel would be speedily surmounted, I proposed, at a meeting of the commissioners, on the 21st of December, to determine the capacity of the bushel by the weight of distilled water it should contain, as this, under existing circumstances, would be the more accurate method, and would render unnecessary that nice attention to figure which would otherwise be indispensably requisite. All difficulty in the construction of the bushel being thus removed, Mr. Bate engaged to deliver to me, on the 1st of February, the following models: viz. four bushels, four gallons, four quarts, four pints, four troy pounds, one avoir. dupois pound, with subdivisions to drams, a two-pounds, a four, a seven, a fourteen, a twenty-eight, and a fifty-six pounds avoirdupois Four weights, each equivalent to the weight of a gallon of distilled water, four to that of a quart of distilled water, and four to that of a pint. | more accurate than any that has been hitherto These models are intended to serve for constant made. This beam is also to be finished by the use at the Exchequer, Guildhall, Edinburgh, and 1st of February. Dublin; the set of avoirdupois weights which will be ready by that time being for the Exchequer. Another set of models, superior in point of workmanship, though not in accuracy, will be afterwards made, and kept as standards to be transmitted to posterity. I am in daily expectation of receiving from Mr. Bate a set of weights, for the purpose of enabling me to derive the avoirdupois from the troy pound, and thence the weight to be employed in determining the capacity of the gallon. As no balance exists, either at the Mint or at the Bank of England, capable of weighing upwards of 230 pounds avoirdupois, I have given Mr. Bate the plan of a beam for this purpose, of great simplicity, and which, I trust, will be The standards of linear measure have been prepared by Mr. Dollond, and are now ready for my final adjustment. The commissioners will perceive that no further difficulty exists; and should I receive the models from Mr. Bate by the 1st of February, according to his engagement, I trust I shall be able speedily to complete their adjustment, and that they will be ready for delivery in two or three weeks from that period. HENRY KATER. York Gate, Regent's Park, To the Commissioners of ARMY AND NAVY. AGENTS AND PAYMASTERS. AN ACCOUNT shewing the Amount of Balances declared due, in the Arrear Department of the War Office, by Government to Individuals, in each Year since the 27th November, 1815, when the Arrear Department was first formed, on the Accounts of Regimental Agents, and Regimental and District Paymasters, for Periods prior to the 25th December, 1810, and the actual Amount paid, or allowed in account, by Government on such Accounts. AN ACCOUNT shewing the Amount of Balances declared due, in the Arrear Department of the War Office, from Individuals to the Government, in each Year since 27th November, 1815, when the Arrear Department was first formed, on the Accounts of Regimental Agents, and Regimental and District Paymasters, for Periods prior to 25th December, 1810, and the actual Amount which has been paid in each Year into the Bank of England on such Accounts. AN ABSTRACT of the Monies actually received and paid by the Government, for Balances declared since 27th November, 1815 (when the Arrear Department of the War Office was first formed), on the Accounts of Regimental Agents, and Regimental and District Paymasters, for Periods prior to 25th December, 1810; and of the Amount of Balances now due on those Accounts; and shewing whether such Balances are good or bad Debts: also, a Statement of the whole Expense of the Department employed on those Accounts since 27th November, 1815; distinguishing the Amount for Establishment, and that for Retired Allowances, in each Year. £ s. d. Total amount of balances received by the government (as per return) 782,884 8 3 Total amount of balances now due to government Total amount of balances now due by government... 151,106 0 10 61,321 2 10 STATEMENT of the whole Expense of the Department employed on these Accounts; distinguishing the Amount for Establishment, and that for Retired Allowances, in each Year. Period. Amount of salaries and contingent expenses. Retired allowances. Total expense. Remarks. A. It is to be observed, that a proportion of the sums included in the total for salaries, would have been chargeable under the head of pensions, if the arrear department had not existed, and the individuals composing it had been placed on the pension list. B. This is the amount which has been issued on account of pensions to persons who, at the time of their retirement, belonged to the arrear department; but it is to be ob served, that such pensions were granted for services which commenced long previously to 27th November, 1815, when the arrear department was formed. |