RETAIL PRICES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LI, Issue 5589, 23 January 1879, Page 7

RETAIL PRICES.

TO THB EDITOR OP THB LYTTELTON TIMES. Sir, —I noticed in your issue of Jan. 21 a letter signed “ Paterfami ,: as,” asking someone to explain to him why tho retail prices of bread and meat should be so high, when the wholesale prices are quoted at such low rates. If you wd’ al'ow me space in your valuable paper, I will endeavour to “ let him know, you enow—the reason why.” With reference to bread I will say noth : ng, —let the bakers speak for themselves. And now for beef and mutton: Why did not “Paterfami ,: as,” ; u common fairness, quote the average price of beef and mutton as retailed out of the butchers’ shops, instead of pitching on rump-steak and tho prime joints of beef ? Surely he cannot be aware of the trouble we have to dispose of the coarse pieces of beef. Perhaps he would scarcely bel ; eve were I to tell b'"m that nearly 3COIb in every bullock that is k n led are sold at the rate of IJd per lb. He tells us that beef is quoted wholesale at 3d per lb. I only wish I had him bound in black and wb'te to supply me at 4d per lb for 12 months. Through last winter and spring butchers were paying over 5d for beef. My reasons for troub ,; ng yon are that I feared “ Pateiram ;l ’as’ ” letter wor’d convey to the pub ,: c the idea that butchers are charging exorbitant prices for their meat.—l am, Ac. JOHN BULL.