BLACKSMITHS' PRICES.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 68, 29 May 1869, Page 3

BLACKSMITHS' PRICES.

(To the Editor of the Tuapeka Times.) Srn, — I see in your last issue a few lines, and at the bottom signed "A Blacksmith." I thiuk Mr. "Blacksmith " makes a very lame excuse for his prices ; he would better have remained silent, or else have lowered his prices at once. He complains of the extra price be has to pay far coal and iron. Just for the information of the public I will let them know what " Blacksmith " has to pay. He gets a set of shoes ready made for Is. 6d. in Lawrence, and about one pennyworth of coal -will fit the shoes for any horse ; so I think at that rate he need not growl at reducing his prices. He has had a good harvest these seven or eight years, and for living he has got no room for complaint, with the 4-lb. loaf at 9d. ; prime beef, Gel. per lb. ; mutton cheaper, and vegetables for a mere song ; so that Mr. " Blacksmith " can

live aa cheaply in Lawrence as any place in the province : and for manual labour, I think it is cheap enough : you can get a good woi'kiag man for £1 a week and his board, so I think that is no excuse, I would just give the blacksmiths one week to lower 1 their prices, and if they don't do it, all the old nags in the district should club together and get a man, and support him' with might and main, and then Mr. " Blacksmith " might go to Tokomairiro, where his goods and living will be so much cheaper. Hoping you will find space for this in your impartial columns, — I am, &c, Barefooted Old Ka.g. Lawrence, May 26, 1868.