New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-23
CURIOSITIES or LONDON TRADE.
From The London Standrd.

The Retail Fish Trade of the metropolis continues
to be one of the mysteries of the age. Letters in
our columns show that there is marvellous differ
ence in the price of fish in the Central Market mt
harrington road and as sold by the hshmongers at
the West-end and elsewhere, and inquiries which
Lave directed on this subject prove that the diff
ference il real and substantial one. IL is not
merely that fish may be caught up now and then at
low price, or just at the flag end of the day or at
the finish OF the week. Neare speaking of the gem
cra scale of charges day by day. and at all hours OK
the day. No dOubt,on Saturday evening tish at the
Central Market is often sold at a specially low
price, and III the expectation OF such result there
Is frequently throng of purchasers, consisting
largely of the working classes, who are thus beue-
fitted by the eStab shment of this new centre for the
tsb trade. This itself is a matter for congratulate
zion. but it is far important TO observe that
the regular scale of charges displays moderation
terstc of the market. The public are awakening
to the fact and the true state of the canO bo
too widely known. AT the same time II is neediul
that Just comparison should be made, and that
reasonable antcipatiOns only should be entertained
A visitor to the Central Market the other day,
who wished 10 purchase prime piece from cod
fish. told that the price was sXpence per pound
oh" said the visitor, " but | the prices given
in The Standard at threepence and fourpence."
whole fish" When the would-be purchaser III
sisted that he ought 10 be able 10 have cut from
the middle of the fish for the lower prices the sales
man settled the matter by saying: The only an
swcr can give you is to refer y0n to your local fish
mOnger.' Aud he was quite right.
The question one not limited in its incidence to
of the Central Market is recel wing Hood of letters
from the provinces, III which the writers complain
of the enormous price charged for fish i'll their sew
eri localities, and inquire whether they can he sup
piled from London on the terms which they see men,
toned in The Standard. One which arrived day OF
two ago from Cambridge from a lady, who
stated that her tTadesman was charging her from
Is. ID to Is Sd. per pound for goldfish. All round
the compass even including the Isle of Man. simildr
complaints are made. The letters thus received are
handed over To the statesmen i'll the market and
they are left to communicate with the riters.
here u.s. 1T least, one salesman who makesl 1t Lead
ing feature of his business to supply country orders
Ot this kind, sending off parcels of fish by train, the
receiver pay ing the carriage. This Is "A growing
business, aud aust ultimately have It's influence
local prices. London is equally beginning 10 feel
the effect Of the Central Market The attention
drawn To the subject is telling upon the high
priced trade in the fashionable quarters, as well as
upon the middlc-cllss fish trade. A kind of SEN
satiou " is being created which may be considered
healthy, if lasting. 1t is quite possible that tho
present agitation will be met by reduction in tie
prevailing price of fish at the shops, but there must
bc continual reference 10 the Central Market IL
there is to bc permanent abatement of tie local
charges To what height prices would go but for
the presence of this wholesome check ii is difficult
To say. What can be done IN the way of putting
up the price was shown little time ago, when the
best cuts from GOLDFISH were selling at Cd. and I'd.
per pound in the Central Market, the same quality
being actually IT, kcted at Is. I'd. in a West-end
Ii the public will pay the price they
will have TO do so but if purchasers otherwise
disposed they escape such eXactiOns.