PETERSFIELD.
CHEAP BREAD FOR THE POOR.—PREVENTION OF MONOPOLY.— The master bakers of this town, will a ‟King” at their head, having for some past, without reference to the fall in the markets, combined together to keep up the prices of their bread, have for a long time been actually charging the public 10d. for the 4lb. loaf, although it has been selling much lower the neighbouring towns and villages. Appeals and complaints have been made but in vain; as one and all rise and fall at the bidding of their ‟King.” Mr. Crassweller, a spirited tradesman in the town, and one who conducts the business of his establishment upon the principle of ‟live and let live,” feeling as many others did as regards the extravagant price of bread, informed some of the bakers last week, that unless they lowered their price he would procure a supply of bread from a baker in the neighbourhood, and retail it out to the poor at three half pence per 4lb. loaf, or 15 per cent., under the present price. The ‟King” was appealed to, but in vain, and no reduction having taken place, Mr. Crassweller was as good as his word, and on Saturday last he procured a supply of about 400 or 500 loaves for sale. The consequence was that the bakers’ shops were deserted, Mr. Crassweller’s establishment thronged with customers, and the 400 or 500 loaves were speedily disposed of to the poor at the reduced price, thus conferring a real boon. It is hoped that Mr. Crassweller will continue the good work he has begun and let the bakers see that they will not be allowed to continue their monopoly in the way they have hitherto done, but be satisfied with a fair remunerating profit on their bread, particularly this season of the year, when provisions of every description are at such high prices, and so disproportionate to the wages of many of the labouring poor, who, in some instances, have barely the means of getting an adequate supply of bread alone for the support of their numerous families. Since the above occurrence, the crest fallen bakers have, in obedience to the commands of their ‟King,” lowered the price of their bread.