THE PRICE OF MEAT.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 4, Issue 376, 27 February 1880, Page 2

THE PRICE OF MEAT.

To the Editor of the Akaroa Mail.

Dear Sir,—Noticing in to-day's issue a letter signed " Grehan Valley," complaining, and I have no doubt justly, as to the price of bread in Akaroa, I am induced to ask the readers of the Mail to consider what they are paying for their meat. The latest quotations for beef in the principal market, of this province are 17s 6d for prime, and 15s 6d perl lOOlbs for medium quality, or say 2d per pound all round ; and mutton is quoted at the same time at ljd per lb. Of course, I need hardly say, that this is weight of carcass when skinned and fit to put into shop for sale. It is therefore apparent to all your readers that the butchers have a splendid profit on the meat, not taking into consideration the fact that they have the fat, skins, offal, heads, feet, and other extras for themselves—a considerable item. Again, it was pointed out to me by a gentleman the other day that he paid the same price for beef when it was quoted wholesale at 30s to 32s 6d. The same remark applies with regard to the mutton. When it was quoted at from 2£d to 3d per pound the Akaroa retail price remained the same. I am not like your correspondent " Grehan Valley," a travelled man, or I could tell you what they do with butchers who do similar things in Turkey, but I have no doubt the punishment is much worse than what was inflicted on the baker who sold short weight bread.

I should think the above letter must interest fathers of families quite as much the bread question, and by inserting it you will oblige yours, &c, AYLMER'S VALLEY.