IN THE EARLY DAYS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 562, 17 July 1909, Page 15

IN THE EARLY DAYS.

■> - OF LIVING. 4 (By Teleeraph-Special Oorresflondent) •> / f ( Chrlstchurch, July 15 Jso much 13 heard nowadays as to the 'graatly,. enhanced cost of living that a list of rtoil values compiled from the "Press" of~3.prir27, 1863, is of interest At that ( date butter of indifferent quality oost 2s per lb. in Chnslchurch and 2s. 6d m Lyt- ' teltyn; eggs were 2s 3d per ..dozen in , dmstchurch and 3a in Lyttelton; cheese sold at the rate of a penny an ounce; milk was sixpence per quart; ducks, 7e. per couplp; a goose commanded a lordly halfguinea, while a farkey costi sixpence less' Butcher moat ranged but little higher in ' ' value than is the case to-day. For example, beef and mutton were quoted at per lb , and pork and veal at 8d Lamb at t 8s per quarter, however, appears a trifle high, , nnd so do beef sausages at 9d per lb. Pork sausages wore sold at one'shilling a pound. Potatoes and green goode were "at a> specially high figure Potatoes commanded from 2Jd \to 8d per lb.; a.buncli of turnips might be had for sixpence: cabbages wero ticketed at 10d and Is , and tho retail onion market was strong at from 6d to Bd. per lb Fruit, also, was very dear considering the season, apples selling at Od and pears at Is 6d per lb Nor was there any suggestion of a "fruiterers' ring" 111 those spacious times. ,. The farmers must have waxed fat, for tvo learn that wiieat was fetching 5s per bushel * i barley 1 6s , oats Bs, beans Bs,, peas 7e., hay \ £9 /per ton, and straw £2- Firowood ranged \\ v from £3 to £3 10s per cord, and coal from \f £4 5s to £4 10s. per ton.