The plan which prevails at present with regard to the sale of old stores, not only proves a kind of safeguard to these fraudulent dealers; but is also in itself subject to great abuses, from the delivery of larger quantities than are actually included in the public sales, by which the parties concerned are said frequently to pocket considerable sums of money.[71] [Footnote 71: See a plan for disposing of old stores with a view to remedy the evil, in a subsequent part of this chapter.] The artificers in the Dock-yards, availing themselves of their perquisite of Chips, not only commit great frauds, by often cutting up useful timber, and wasting time in doing so; but also in frequently concealing, within their bundles of chips, copper bolts, and other valuable articles, which are removed by their wives and children, (and, as has appeared in judicial evidence, by boys retained for the purpose) and afterwards sold to itinerant Jews, or to the dealers in old iron and stores, who are always to be found in abundance wherever the Dock-yards are situated.[72] [Footnote 72: It seems evident, that the abolition of the perquisite of Chips would be a great improvement, and prove the means of correcting many gross abuses which at present prevail. In this suggestion the Author is supported by the very able and decided evidence of Brigadier-General Bentham, before the Select Committee of the House of Commons on Finance, in 1798. [_See the 31st Report of that Committee._] On a supposition that 3000 shipwrights are employed in the several Dock-yards at the wages of 2_s._ 1_d._ with the privilege of one bundle of chips each day, which, though not worth more than 6_d._ to each shipwright, actually costs Government 1_s._ 6_d._ because good and valuable timber is often cut down to make these chips.--The following estimate will elucidate what has been stated: and shew the benefits which Government would probably derive from the abolition of this perquisite, even if the wages should be raised, which are perhaps too low at present. 3000 men, working 300 days in a year, entitled to 900,000 bundles of chips at 1_s._ 6_d._ £.67,500 Time lost to Government in making up these chips, equal to 6_d._ per day 22,500 Articles purloined and stolen, by being concealed within these bundles, and by women and children, who resort to the yards on pretence of carrying them away, supposed 50,000 --------- £.140,000 Deduct 6_d._ a day additional wages in lieu of the perquisite of chips; which, it is understood, the shipwrights would consider as an ample remuneration 22,500 --------- Presumed gain by this arrangement £.117,500]