Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1921.djvu/136

 84 THE BRITISH EMPIRE: — UNITED KINGDOM

Money, Weights, and Measures.

The sovereign weighs 123 '274 grains, or 7*9881 grammes, "916 (or eleven- twelfths) fine, and consequently it contains 113 001 grains or 7 3224 grammes of fine gold. The shilling weighs 87'27 grains or 5 6552 grammes, and down to 1920 was '925 (or thirty-seven -fortieths) fine, thus containing 80727 grains or 5 '231 grammes of fine silver, but under the Coinage Act,- 1920, the fineness has been reduced to ^500 (one half). Bronze coins consist of a mixture of copper, tin, and zinc. The penny weighs 145*83 grains, or 9 '45 grammes. The standard of value is gold. Silver is legal tender up to 40 shillings ; bronze up to 12d., but farthings only up to 6d. Bank of England notes are legal tender in England and Wales, except at the Bank itself (3 and 4 Will. 4, cap. 98). The 12. and 10s. Treasury Notes issued since the outbreak of the War are also legal tender. The note circulation at March 31, 1920, was ; currency notes, 335,372,0002. ; Bank of England notes, 105,271, 0002.; total, 440,643,0002. The amount of currency in June, 1914, is estimated at 128,000,0002. in circulation, and 75,000,0002. in banks ; total, 203,000,0002. In December, 1919, the amount is estimated at 393,000,0002 in circulation, and 191,000,0002. in banks ; total, 584,000,0002. The silver circulation at the end of 1920 was estimated at about 60,000,0002.

Standard units are : of length the standard yard, of weight the. standard pound of 7,000 grains (the pound troy having 5,760 grains), of capacity the standard gallon containing 10 pounds avoirdupois of distilled water at 62° F., the barometer at 30 inches. On these units all other legal weights and measures are based.

ISLE OF MAN. 1

The Isle of Man is administered in accordance with its own laws by the Court of Tynwald, consisting of the Governor, appointed by the Crown ; the Legislative Council, composed chiefly of ecclesiastical and judicial dignitaries appointed by the Crown, numbering 9 members, including the Governor ; and the House of Keys, a representative assembly of 24 members chosen on a property qualification for 7 years by the 6 'sheadings' or local sub- divisions, and the 4 municipalities. Women have the franchise as well as men. Number of voters 1915, 16,138. The island is not bound by Acts of the Imperial Parliament unless specially mentioned in them.

Lieut. -Governor. — Major-General Sir W. Fry, K.C.V.O., C. B.

The principal towns are Douglas (population in 1911, 21,192), Ramsey (4,247), Peel (2,605), Castletown (1,817). Births (1919), 679 ; deaths, S47. in 1915 there were inspected 46 elementary schools, 41 being board schools. The enrolled pupils numbered 7,213, and the average attendance 6,447. The expenditure of school boards and of primary schools for the 1914-15, amounted to 30,7042. There were, in 1915, 1 secondary (295 registered pupils), 14 supplementary classes (271 registered pupils), ami 15 evening classes (571 registered pupils). Th» expenditure of higher edm boards in 1914-15 was 9,9792. On December 31, 1915, 931 persons received poor-relief (103 indoor and 828 outdoor). In 1915 the police force numbered 90 ; in the year there were 455 persons oom I

Revenue is derived mostly from Customs. In 1919-20 the revenue amounted to 293,3032.; and expenditure to 120,5082., of which 10,0002. was paid to the Imperial Kxchoqucr as contribution from the Customs revenue. Public debt (1920) 127,5272.

The priueipal agricultural produce of tho island consists of oats, barley, turnips and potatoes, and grassos. The total area of the island. 1 Area ami population, see p. -4.