corn returns, to have been properly made; and a fum not exceeding two fhillings for each return from any of the cities or towns in the feveral inland or other counties laft before mentioned, and fo certified to have been properly made; which certificates the faid receiver of corn returns is hereby required to make quarterly; except in fuch cafes where fuch juftices in fuch county, riding, or divifion, or mayor or other chief officer or juftices in fuch city or town, fhall think fome larger compenfation fhall be neceflary in confideration of the great trouble to which any fuch infpector fhall be fubject: which fums of money any fuch treasurer, and fuch churchwardens and overfeers of the poor, after the apportionment has been made between the respective parishes, in manner before directed, is and are hereby authorised and required to pay, upon receiving fuch certificate, and the fame fhall be allowed in their respective accounts; and that the and fheriffs fheriff depute of the counties, and the fteward depute of the depute in ftewartry, or his fubftitute, in that part of Great Britain called Scotland, fhall be entitled to receive quarterly, out of the publick rate or cefs of every fuch county or ftewartry, a fum not exceeding twenty fhillings for each monthly return, certified by the receiver of corn returns to the treasurer of fuch county or ftewartry, to have been properly made according to the directions of this act, by every fuch fheriff depute, fteward depute, or substitute, for defraying the charges incurred in making fuch returns, which fums of money the treasurer of every fuch county or ftewartry is hereby authorised and required to pay, upon receiving fuch certificate, and the fame fhall be allowed in his account.

Scotland.

to tranfmit, at

returns he has

LXXV. And be it further enacted, That the faid receiver of Receiver of corn returns fhall, at the end of every year, tranfmit to the re- corn returns ceiver general of his Majesty's customs in England, a certificate the end of of the number of returns which have been properly made to him each year, a according to the directions of this act, in the course of every fuch certificate of year, from every county, riding, divifion, city, or town which the number of are counties of themfelves, or have and enjoy exempt jurifdiction received, to as aforefaid respectively, in that part of Great Britain called Eng- the receiver land; and he fhall, in like manner, tranfmit to the receiver ge- general of the neral of his Majefty's cuftoms in Scotland, a certificate of the cuftoms in number of returns which have been properly made to him, ac- Scotland reEngland and cording to the directions of this act, in the courfe of every fuch fpectively, year, from every county, and the ftewartry in that part of Great who are to Britain called Scotland refpectively; and fuch receiver general of repay the the customs in England fhall, on an order from the commif- vanced by the money adfioners of the cuftoms, or any four of them, forthwith repay, out county trea of the monies in his hands, arifing from the duties on foreign furers, &c. corn, meal, and flour imported (an account of which duties he is to keep feparate, and to retain in his hands fo much of the produce thereof as shall be fufficient for that purpose) to the treafurers of the feveral maritime counties, ridings, or divifions of that part of Great Britain called England, and to the mayor or other chief officer of the cities or towns locally fituated within the faid counties, that are counties of themfelves, or have and

enjoy

enjoy an exempt jurifdiction as aforefaid, a fum not exceeding five fhillings for every return certified to him by the faid receiver of corn returns to have been properly made according to the directions of this act in the courfe of every fuch year, by the infpectors of every such county, riding, divifion, city, or town refpectively; and a fum not exceeding two fhillings for every return from any of the cities or towns in the feveral inland and other counties laft before mentioned, fo certified to have been properly. made; and such receiver general of the customs in Scotland hall, on an order from the commiffioners of the cuftoms, or any three of them, in like manner repay, out of the monies in his hands, arifing from the duties on foreign corn, meal, or flour imported (an account of which duties he is to keep feparate, and to retain in his hands fo much of the produce thereof as fhall be fuficient for that purpose) to the treasurers of the several counties, and the ftewartry in that part of Great Britain called Scotland, a fum not exceeding twenty fhillings for every return certified to him by the faid receiver of corn returns to have been properly made according to the directions of this act, in the course of every such year, by every fuch sheriff depute, fteward depute, or his fubftiCounty trea- tute of every fuch county or ftewartry; and every fuch treasurer difpofe of the in the feveral counties of England fhall carry the fum fo received money fo re- by him to the account of the rate of every fuch county, riding, ceived, in the or divifion refpectively; and every fuch mayor or other chief ofmanner here- ficer of the feveral cities or towns which are counties of themin mentioned. felves, or have and enjoy an exempt jurifdiction as aforefaid, shall

furers, &c. to

If the duties on foreign

corn import

ed are infufficient to make the

aforefaid re

payment, the

receiver general to make up the deficiency.

Treasury to appoint a receiver of corn returns;

repay the fum fo received by him to the churchwardens and overfeers of the poor of the feveral parishes or townships in every fuch city or town, in proportion to the fums which every fuch parish or township fhall have refpectively contributed for the payment of the inspector appointed for every fuch city or town, to be carried to the account of the poor rates of every fuch parish or township respectively; and every fuch treasurer of the feveral counties, and of the ftewartry in that part of Great Britain called Scotland, fhall carry the fums fo received by him to the account of the publick rate or cefs of every such county or ftewartry respectively, and the faid receivers of the cuftoms in England and Scotland fhall be refpectively allowed fuch payments in their feveral accounts.

LXXVI. Provided always, and be it enacted, That in cafe the monies arifing by the duties on foreign corn, meal, and flour, imported, fhall not be fufficient to make the repayment aforefaid, it shall and may be lawful for the commiffioners of his Majefty's cuftoms in England, or any four or more of them, and the commiffioners of his Majefty's cuftoms in Scotland, or any three or more of them refpectively, to order the receiver general to make up fuch deficiency out of any other money in his hands, arifing from the duties of cuftoms; and the faid receiver general of the customs in England and Scotland fhall be respectively allowed fuch payments in their feveral accounts.

LXXVII. And be it further enacted, That the lord high treafurer, or the lords commiffioners of his Majefty's treasury, for the time being, or any three or more them, fhall from time to

time appoint a fit and proper perfon for executing the office of receiver of corn returns according to the directions of this act, with fuch falary and allowance as shall be deemed by them to be a proper and fufficient compenfation for his time and trouble in executing the faid office."

LXXVIII. And be it further enacted, That fuch receiver of who is to take corn returns, before he enters on the execution of his office, fhall the following take the following oath; (videlicet),

IA. B. do fwear, That I will, to the best of my skill and know- Oath.

ledge, execute the office of receiver of corn returns, according to the directions of an act paffed in the thirty-first year of the reign of his majesty King George the Third, intituled, [Here fet forth the title of the act], and in all things conform myself as receiver of corn returns to the provifions of the said act.

Which oath any juftice of the peace for the county of Middlefex, is hereby impowered and required to administer.

corn returns

LXXIX And be it further enacted, That it fhall be lawful Receiver of for the faid receiver of corn returns to fend by the poft to any to fend and part of this kingdom, any printed papers, containing an account receive papers or abstract of the average prices of corn, or any of the other arti- on the business cles aforefaid, taken from the returns tranfmitted to him by vir- of this act, tue of this act, in covers open at the fides, which shall be figned under certain by him on the outfide thereof, free from the duty of poftage; and restrictions. to receive and fend all his letters and packets, from and to the infpectors appointed by virtue of this act, and from and to the clerks of the peace in the feveral counties, ridings, and divifions in England, and from and to the fheriffs or fteward depute of the counties and the stewartry in Scotland, and from and to the collectors and other chief officers of the customs, and from and to the mayors or other chief officers of the cities and towns that are counties of themfelves, or have and enjoy an exempt jurisdiction as aforefaid, and from and to the treasurer of the feveral counties, ridings, divifions, and ftewartry as aforefaid, on the business in which he is employed in pursuance of the directions of this act, free from the duty of poftage, in the fame manner, and under fuch restrictions, as are now by law eftablished refpecting all other letters, packets, and printed papers, fent and received by the poft free from the faid duty: provided nevertheless, That all letters and packets fo fent by the faid receiver of corn returns, fhall be certified on the outside thereof, in his hand writing, to be on the bufinefs of this act, and fhall be fealed with a feal provided for that purpose and kept in his office, an impreffion or exemplification of which fhall be previously lodged in the general poftoffice; and also, that all letters and packets, fo received by the faid receiver of corn returns, fhall be certified on the outfide thereof, by the officers tranfmitting the fame, to be upon the bufinefs of this act, and fhall contain no other letter, paper, or thing whatsoever, than for the faid receiver of corn returns upon the business aforefaid; and it shall and may be lawful for his Ma

jesty's

Collectors of

accounts of of the corn,

wife at, or

jefty's poft-mafter general, his fecretary or other officer specially authorised by him, to examine and fearch all fuch letters and packets, and to charge with treble poftage any letter, paper, or thing therein contained contrary to the provifions of this act.

LXXX. And be it further enacted, That the collectors or the customs to principal officers of the customs, at every port in Great Britain, fend weekly fhall respectively tranfmit weekly to the faid receiver of corn returns, an account of the quantities of the feveral forts of corn, &c. fhipt to be or of malt, meal, or flour, fhipped in their respective ports in the carried coaft- preceding week to be carried coaftwife, with the names of the brought coaft- hips or veffels, the names of the mafters, and the ports or places wife into their in Great Britain to which fuch corn, malt, meal, or flour, was refpective intended to be carried, and alfo an account of the quantities of ports, to the all the feveral forts of corn, malt, meal, or flour, brought coastreceiver of wife in the preceding week into each fuch port, with the names who is every of the fhips or veffels, the names of the mafters, and the name of three months the port or place from whence the fame was brought; and the to tranfmit an faid receiver of corn returns fhall, at the end of every three months, account thereof to the com- tranfmit to the commiffioners of his Majefty's cuftoms in England miffioners of and Scotland respectively, an account, to be formed and made up the customs. in fuch manner as they the faid commiffioners fhall refpectively approve, of the quantity of the feveral forts of corn, malt, meal, or flour, fhipped to be carried coaftwife from each port, or brought coaftwife into each port, of Great Britain respectively.

corn returns,

Treasury to order an an

nual account

LXXXI. And be it further enacted, That the lord high treafurer, or the commiffioners of the treasury for the time being, to be tranfmit- fhall, and they are hereby required to order and direct that an acted from the count of the quantities of all corn, and the other articles as aforecuftoms to the faid, exported from Great Britain, and of all corn, meal, and flour imported into Great Britain, together with an account of all bounties and duties paid and received thereon, be tranfmitted annually, exported, &c. by the commiffioners of the customs in England and Scotland reimported and fpectively, to the faid receiver of corn returns, to be registered by him in proper books to be kept for that purpose.

receiver of

corn returns, of the corn

all bounties and duties paid,

LXXXII. And be it further enacted, That the bufhel by which All corn to be all corn fhall be measured and computed, in pursuance of the dimeasured by rections of this act, fhall be the Winchester bufhel, and that a the Winchef- quarter fhall be deemed to confift of eight fuch bufhels; and that ter bushel, &c. the juftices of the peace of each county, riding, and divifion, and the mayor or other chief officer of the cities or towns which are counties of themselves, or have or enjoy exempt or peculiar jurifdiction, in that part of Great Britain called England, and the fheriff or steward depute or fubftitute of the counties, and of the faid stewartry in that part of Great Britain called Scotland, fhall cause a standard Winchester bufhel to be provided and kept in each city and town from which any returns of the prices of corn are by this act directed to be made; and that all duties be paid, and all bounties be paid and allowed, and all computations by measure to be made for the purposes of this act, be made by the ftricken and not by the heaped bufhel; and that in all cafes where corn &c. is fold by shall be fold by weight, fifty-feven pounds avoirdupoise of wheat

When corn

fhall

fhall be deemed equal to every fuch Winchester bufhel of wheat, weight, the and that fifty-five avoirdupoise pounds of rye fhall be deemed equal quantities herein fpecifito every fuch bufhel of rye, and that forty-nine avoirdupoife pounds ed to be deemof barley fhall be deemed equal to every fuch bufhel of barley, and ed equal to a that forty-two avoirdupoife pounds of beer or bigg fhall be deemed bushel. equal to every fuch bufhel of beer or bigg, and that thirty-eight avoirdupoife pounds of oats fhall be deemed equal to every fuch bushel of oats; and further, that fifty-fix avoirdupoife pounds of wheat-meal, and forty-five avoirdupoife pounds of wheat-flour, fhall be deemed equal to every fuch bufbel of unground wheat, and that fifty-three avoirdupoife pounds of rye-meal fhall be deemed equal to every fuch bufhel of unground rye, and that fortyeight avoirdupoife pounds of barley-meal fhall be deemed equal to every fuch bufhel of unground barley, and that forty-one avoirdupoife pounds of beer or bigg-meal fhall be deemed equal to every fuch bufhel of unground beer or bigg, and that twenty-two avoirdupoife pounds of oatmeal fhall be deemed equal to every fuch bufhel of unground oats; and for greater expedition in mea- The quantity furing ground corn of any fort that fhall be in facks, the proper of ground officer may make choice of and weigh two facks out of any num- to be deterber not exceeding twenty facks, and fo in proportion for any mined by greater quantity, and thereby compute the quantity of the whole: weighing two and if any doubt fhall arife, whether ground wheat entered to be facks out of exported on bounty, ought to be confidered as wheat-meal, or twenty. wheat-flour, fuch officer is hereby authorised to require that a determining certain reasonable portion of every fack, not exceeding one peck doubts reout of each fack, fhall be paffed through a fieve or cloth, com- fpecting monly called A Fourteen Shilling Cloth, and if fuch ground wheat ground wheat, fhall not pass through fuch fieve or cloth, the fame shall not be &c. confidered as wheat-flour.

corn in facks

Directions for

to make a comparison between the

LXXXIII. And be it further enacted, That every infpector of Inspector of corn returns fhall, and he is hereby required to make a compa- corn returns rifon between the Winchester measure and the meafure commonly ufed in the city or town for which he is appointed inspector; and within one month after his appointment to cause a statement in Winchester writing of fuch comparifon to be hung up in fome confpicuous meafure, and place in the market and town-hall of fuch city or town, and from time to time renew the fame if it shall become defaced or illegible, inspector, &c. and fhall return a copy of the fame to the receiver of corn returns.

that used where he is

corn within

paid.

LXXXIV. And be it further enacted, That nothing in this The prefent act contained shall extend to alter the prefent practice of mea- practice of furing corn, or any of the articles aforefaid, to be shipped from or measuring to be landed in the port of London, but that the fame fhall be mea- London to fured by the fworn meters appointed for that purpofe, by whofe continue, and certificate the fearchers or other proper officers of his Majefty's the tolls to be customs are hereby impowered and required to certify the quantity of corn, or other articles as aforefaid, fo fhipped or landed; and that nothing in this act contained fhall extend to leffen or take away the tolls or duties due and payable to the mayor and commonalty and citizens of the city of London, or to the mayor of the faid city for the time being. LXXXV. And

VOL. XXXVII,

U