The Soldiers' Loaf

Horowhenua Chronicle, 6 November 1916, Page 3

The Soldiers' Loaf

« COST OF MAKING AT THE CAMPS. The Defence Department has issued the following - in reference tn the baking of bread for the soldiers at Featherston and Trentham training camps.— "In connection with the training camps at Featherston and Trentham, ! tho whole of the bread required for camp use is now produced in the Army Service Corps bakeries installed at each camp. "At .Featherston camp the new bakery commenced to supply the full requirements of the camp from September Bth inclusive, and during the remaining period of the month 118.72611) of bread w-as produced at a cost of £698 Is Bd, this amount including cost of flour, other ingredients, coal, wages, separate allowances, etc., railage on flour, etc. The price of bread thus works out at 1.411 pence per lb, equal to 0.644 pence per 41b loaf. In comparison to the last contract, the price of which was 1.873 pence per lb or 7.5 •pence per 41b loaf, a saving has been effected on a twenty-three days' working of no less an amount than J6-ld. per lb. The enormity of the saving can he better gauged in a year's baking, where the working on the foregoing would be approximately £3600. "The bakevy at Trentham differs from that at Featherston, in that it is identically the same as used in the field, and in consequence more labor and cost are entailed in the production of bread and the continual making and; withdrawing of fires before baking, whilst wood ohly is used at a much higher cost than coal and coke. However, an important point in connection with the Trentham bakery is that it affords training to the N.Z.A.S.C. bakers before leaving New Zealand, "'and thus they are full conversant with the field methods on arriving at the front. In consequent's of extra staff, etc., it cannot therefore be expected that the savat Trentham would be as great as that at Featherston. During September '120,3701b bread was produced at Trentham at a cost of £791 3s 3d, which brings the price of bread; out at 1.577 d per lb or 6.305 d per 41b loaf. This, compared with the last contract price of 1.62-xl per lb, shows a saving of .048 d per l.b In a year's baking the saving would amount to about £300. However, in view of the saving effected at Featherston, the matter of the installation of a similar bakery at Trentham is now a question which is being considered.