Original Correspondence.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume I, Issue 15, 20 June 1863, Page 1 (Supplement)

Original Correspondence.

THE PRICE OF BREAD. To the Editor of the Lake Wakatip Mail. Sir, —In reference to a letter in your paper of the 13th inst., signed Morris & White, bakers, we feel it our duty as honest tradesmen, to explain the whole affair to the public. First, they make mention of the price of flour, and on those grounds we perfectly agree, but as to their intention of reducing the price of bread six or seven weeks ago, it was at that very time that flour was £9O per ton, and likely to be higher. They consulted our firm on the subject of pulling down the price to undersell all the others, but at that time flour being £9O per ton, and very scarce, we said they could do as they pleased in the matter. Since then we have had a great change in the flour market; and we, working entirely on our own footing, felt it our duly to reduce the price of bread to two shillings and sixpence the four pound loaf. As to their intention of being the first in the field we deny it, for on the morning that we reduced the price, Mr. Morris came and wished to know our price. When he was told two shillings and sixpence, he replied, " ours is two shillings," which is a price that will not pay at the present rate of flour. During the day two other bakers waited on us, informing us that there was a meeting going to be held in the evening, to settle the price of bread at three shillings. They informed me they were all agreeable to three shillings if we were; but we declined to go to the meeting. Now, Mr. Editor, if Morris & White were the first to reduce the price, what made Mr. Morris attend the meeting in reference to the above ? We hope that the public will look into this case and patronise those who deserve it. In conclusion we wish to remark —first, that our price will continue to be two shillings and sixpence per four pound loaf, and that is a fair price at the present rate of flour; but if there should be any further reduction in that article we shall be very happy to sell at two shillings. Bond & Co. Queenstown, June 17, 1863.

To the Editor of the Lake Wakatip Mail.

Sir, —I beg to call your attention to the following fact:—The mail arrived at Queens - town on Tuesday, at half-past two o'clock, and I, with a great many others, wended my way to the Post Office about an hour after the arrival, when, to my astonishment, I was told that the mail would not be delivered till morning. Now, Sir, I think this a very hard case. I have been on a great many of the outlying goldfields in Victoria, and if the mail came in there at seven o'clock in the evening, the letters were assorted and delivered that same evening; but here you must wait till ten o'clock the next morning. Trusting that you will give this insertion, and that some abler pen than mine will take up this most important matter. I beg to remain, Sir, yours, &c., A Lover of Fair Play. Queenstown, June 17,1863.