(1) These regulations may be cited as the Cook Islands Weights and Measures Regulations 1954.

(2) These regulations shall come into force in the Cook Islands (other than Niue) on such date as the Resident Commissioner of Rarotonga appoints by public notice, and different dates may be so appointed with respect to different islands forming part of the Cook Islands (other than Niue).

(3) These regulations shall come into force in the Island of Niue on such date as the Resident Commissioner of Niue appoints by public notice.

(1) The Minister of Island Territories may procure any verified standard weights and measures he deems necessary for the purposes of these regulations.

(2) All such verified standard weights and measures shall be verified and stamped with the letters and figures commonly used to signify Her Majesty's name or mark, together with the letters “SW” or “SM” (signifying “standard weight” or “standard measure”) and a figure indicating the denomination of the weight or measure, and may cause any such verified standard to be placed in the custody and under the control of the Resident Commissioner.

(3) Every verified standard in the custody and control of the Resident Commissioner shall for the purposes of these regulations be deemed to be of the weight and measure which it purports to be.

(1) Every person who uses or has in his possession any weight or measure or any measuring instrument which is false or unjust or below the standard weight or measure or materially incorrect, having regard to the purposes for which it is or may reasonably be expected to be used, commits an offence, and is liable for each offence to a fine not exceeding £20.

(2) Every person commits an offence and is liable to a fine not exceeding £20 who sells or causes to be sold, or delivers or causes to be delivered, to a purchaser anything by weight or measure short of the quantity demanded of or represented by the seller.

(1) All weights and measures and measuring instruments used in the Cook Islands shall comply with the standards laid down and publicly notified by the Resident Commissioner.

(2) Any person who at any time after any public notification under subclause (1) of this regulation uses in any transaction with any other person any weight or measure or measuring instrument which does not comply with the standards referred to in that subclause commits an offence, and is liable for each offence to a fine not exceeding £20.

(1) There may from time to time be appointed under the provisions of the Cook Islands Act 1915 suitable persons to be Inspectors of Weights and Measures for the purpose of ensuring compliance with these regulations or any standards notified under these regulations.

(2) Any such Inspector may at all reasonable times—

• (a) Enter any building or place or stop any vehicle wherein or in connection with which weights, measures, or measuring instruments are used for trade:

• (b) Stop any person having in his possession a pack, basket, or other receptacle containing goods for sale and any weights, measures, or measuring instruments for use in connection with the sale of those goods:

• (c) Examine and test those weights, measures, or measuring instruments, and, if any such weight or measure is light or otherwise unjust, or if any such measuring instrument is found to be incorrect or not in accordance with these regulations, the Inspector may seize the same:

• (d) Examine and weigh or measure, or cause to be weighed or measured, in the presence of the person in charge of the same, any goods kept or exposed for sale, and seize any goods in respect of which a contravention of these regulations has been committed.

(2) All weights, measures, measuring instruments, and goods seized under these regulations shall, if the Resident Commissioner so directs, be forfeited, and shall on forfeiture become the property of Her Majesty the Queen.

(3) Every person who wilfully obstructs or hinders any such Inspector in the execution of his office, or who refuses to produce and deliver any weight, measure, or measuring instrument when required so to do by an Inspector, commits an offence, and is liable for each offence to a fine not exceeding £10.