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Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 90, 17 April 1890, Page 2

(To the Editor.)

Sik, —I was glad to see Mr Noah Wood's able reply to Mr J. Jordan re the rise in the price of meat, and your readers will no doubb, see, after perusing both letters, that the lafcter's statements will not stand water and the cry was quite uncalled for. : As IJiave been all my life in the trade, I can verify all Mr Wood says, and at the same time, with your permission, would also make a few remarks. With regard to the farmers, on whose behalf Mr Jordan makesv the pitiful wail, I can .support the assertions made by Mr Wood, for during the last month we; ha.ye had to pay 4b per 1001b more for beef and 5s per head (equal to Id per lb) for mutton as per Mr A. Buckland's reports, co I do not see why your correspondent should champion the cause of the farmers as well as the consumers, by asking us to coutinue selling at the same price as hitherto. It is a wellknown fact that for the - last two years we have hardly been making our ealfc out of ou.r sales. ■•'■• ■■■ ';<: Mr Jordon also shows bis ignorance when he saye thab if this i-fise had occurred in Xondon, Paris, or Dublin, an awkward preeeeditig Would assuredly enaure; if he Underetood anVthJi??. *bout the wic*» Of

meat in those cities he would know"that the butchers there make more profits out of their meat than butchers in this colony. The Home dealers buy their New Zealand frozen mutton for 5d per lb by the carcase, and retail the legs at 9d or 10d; chops and cutleta at the same price ;.shoulders, 7d ; necks, 5d ; while they make mote-profit in proportion on beef. Mr Jordan says that in New Plymouth rump steak cells at 4d. Now, sir, t know from my own personal "knowledge that it is not rump steak, but beef steak that is pold at <ld ; "so the paper he refers to must have made a mistake. Mr Jordan also mentions tha f > he has to pay 5d per )b for ribs and 8d for rump steak. The foregoing prices are those arranged by our Association for purchasers who want six months' credit; for anyone can go to any butcher's shop in this city and by paying cash can get the meat he mentions at Id per lb cheaper, Hoping that in futuroMr Jordan will not rush into print before he knows what he is writing a.bout, and apologising to you for encroaching on your valuable space,—l am, etc., All my Like a Butoiikr. P.S.—Mr Jordan is, perhaps, also unaware that the price of hides was never as low as at present, while only Id per lb can be got for fab.