The sugar, tea, and candles were of contract weight, and the total result was that only 5s 7d worth of goods at contract rates had been supplied for the ordor for 7s 6d. To make the position cloarer, we will put it m another way — thus : the over charge at proportionate contract rates on the quantity of oatmeal supplied wa9 66 per cent. ; on the flour, 96 ; on the butter 50 ; on tho rice, 69 ; and on the washing soda, 107 per cent. Or, again, to take the butter : tO child's order specified a shilling's worth, and the contract price was 8d per lb. A pound was given in-teiid of a pound and a half i. c , eight pennyworth for a shilling The extreme case is that of washing soda, of which the cen tract price was nine shillings per hundred weight. Siipennyworth was ordered, and barely threepennvworth given, i.e., 31b instead of a little OTer Gib. At tho next meeting of the Trustees the scales, weight?, and packets of goods were pro duced, and the Secreta- y laid the matter be fore tho Trustees. They at once decided to telephone for tho contractor and to ask him for an explanation. MrMercercamo up to tho Bene volent Institution Office, and on being shown the goods, scales, and weights, made no attempt to dispute the facts, but said that so far as the oatmeal, flour, rice, and washing Boda were concerned, ho had tendered to supply these articles at so much per 1001 b, and did not feel called upon to supply less quantities at the contract prices. So far as the oatmeal was specially concerned, ho had instructed hi& shopman to give 81b for a shilling (instead of 101 b according to the contract rate of 1001 b for ten shillings), and the shopmm had acted on his own responsibility m giving on!y 61b A similar explanation was given with reference to the flour, rice, and washing soda, as to all of which the shopman had greatly improved upon his instru. 