A Clerical Butcher.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 153, 8 May 1886, Page 4

A Clerical Butcher.

That the vicar of a metropolitan parish should have opened four butchers* shops in aa many different parts of London may be set down among the anomalies of our times. The Rev. Freeman Wills, M.A., vicar of St. Agatha, Shoreditch, and brother to Mr Willß, the dramatist, has not only ventured on this novel enterprise, but has even had the audacity to project a scheme for a hundred such establishments. Mr Wills -began latt Christmas twelvemonth by opening one shop. He bought a couple of frozen shoeo, cut them up in a Finsbury schoolroom, and sent the schoolboys round to inform the people of the fact. He sold at a profit of two shillings a sheep, and next week bought six. Very soon he set up a regular shop and engaged a trustworthy manager, who aoon perceived that it would be just as easy to buy for several shops as for one, and more profitable. Accordingly, four " Eastward Ho " meat stores have been established - one in Shoreditch, one in Hackney, one at Stamford Hill, and another in Sing's Road, Chelsea. The trade at these four shops averages £290 a week, or a business of some £40,000 a year. Thay just pay their way, and enable Mr Wills to give 5 per cent, on the capital some of his friends have entrusted to him, while the patrons of these new establishments get prime English legs of mutton at Sd a pound, frozen imported legs at 7d, and shoulders at 6d.