Ohinemuri Regional History Journal 43, September 1999
By Mona Townshend
Re-produced above is a 1935 docket for stock sold by W Manning to J Walls, butcher of Paeroa.
Early Meat Sales
Ohinemuri Regional History Journal 43, September 1999
Mr Manning farmed at Mangaiti, between Paeroa and Te Aroha. He was a well-known stock dealer as he attended many sales in the area so that he could supply butchers' shops with stock, as they required it. Meat was delivered daily from the slaughter houses to the shops.
The price of meat in the 1920 and 1930 years was very low, compared with today's prices. Mince and sausages were just four pence per pound. Small goods, such as sausages, luncheon sausage, black puddings and pressed beef were always made and cooked at the shop.
The butcher shops were busy places in those years as refrigeration was not known in private homes. Meat was not put on display, as it is today, but cut as ordered. If a regular customer was connected to the telephone service, the butcher would telephone them each morning for their orders. The order was delivered by the delivery boy or man, on a bike. Country customers were visited three times a week by the butcher's van.
Meat for cats and dogs was sold in the shop. It was not available in a can or roll as it is today.