THE PRICE OF BREAD.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume v, Issue 1533, 15 April 1887, Page 2

THE PRICE OF BREAD.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — Will you kindly allow me to draw attention to a few figures regarding the price of bread and breadstuffs, and also ask a question or two m the same direction. Christchurch market report of Saturday, sth March, gave wheat at 3a 3d to 3s 5d per bushel, and stated " Millers have dropped price of flour 20s per ton ; it now is £9 to £10 per ton." Again Saturday, 26th March, " Wheat 3s 3d to 3s 5d ; flour £9 7s to £9 10s, according to brand ;" and on Saturday, 2nd April, ••Wheat fully id per bushel higher, but flour £8 10s to £9 per ton," and on same date, " Beat bread, full weight guaranteed, is quoted at 4d per 41b loaf for cash on delivery." Now for Aahburton : Wheat was selling previous to harvest here at up to 4s 6d per bushel, but since this year's crop has come on the market about 3s has been and Btill is the average price paid for good grain, and if the railway freight is taken off the price of flour as quoted m Chrifitchurch, the price of the latter article should be about £8 to £8 10s per ton here. Now, therefore, aa a breadwinner I should like to know if when wheat was 4a 6d bread was 6d, what should be the preaent price of bread with wheat at 3s, or a reduction m the price of this article of 33 and one-third per cent, and a superior sample at that, for millers' use, to last year's crop. Considering that large quantities of Ashburton whaat and flour have to find a market m Christchurch and elsewhere, surely our bakers and millers should be able to supply ub with bread at rates not exceeding those of Christchurch, instead of as at present 50 per cent, higher ? I am, etc , Brown Loaf.