_From the Times, Sept. 28, 1847._
“To the Editor of the Times.
“SIR,--The great interest you manifested in February last, when I made
known my intention of erecting by subscription a model kitchen for the
poor, was handsomely responded to by the public, and the scheme being
considered by Government likely to be (at that distressing period) of
immense advantage for Ireland, I was requested to lay my plans before
the Lords of the Treasury, and being approved of, I willingly accepted
the invitation of erecting my model kitchen in Dublin, instead of
London, as I at first intended.
“Having successfully proved that the system was of paramount importance,
both as regards the large quantity of superior food that could be
produced, and the immense saving that could be effected, the Government
then purchased my model kitchen, and the South Union Relief Committee of
Dublin have had the use of it ever since the 24th of April.
“As I am certain, Sir, that my subscribers and the public will feel
interested in the result of my plan, the following brief statement will,
I hope, awaken all local boards (if at all anxious), and adopt a system
which must save, on a very moderate calculation, at least 50 per cent.
at any period of either scarcity or plenty.
“I leave to those who are better acquainted than I am with statistics
what would be the amount saved to the ratepayers all through the
country.
“From the opening of my model kitchen by me, on the 6th of April last,
to the 24th, the number of rations of 2½ lb. each was 40,000
“From the 26th of April to the 22d of May, by the South Union Relief
Committee, the number of rations, averaging 12,600 per day, was 300,000
“From the 24th of May to the 31st of July, also by the South Union
Relief Committee, the number of rations per day varying from 1,750
to 23,640, was 729,279
“From the 2d of August to the 14th, averaging 6,500 a-day, was 78,000
“Making 2,868,179 lb. of food, and of rations 1,147,279
“To supply that number of rations by the old plan of preparing food in
different depôts, would have cost, at 3d. per ration (which is rather
under the average), the sum of £15,536
“But, according to my plan of preparing food with my model kitchen, as
it was estimated in a report made to the Relief Committee by its
Secretary, on the 23d of April last, the cost of each ration, including
coals, expenses of house, carriage, labour, &c. came to 1⅜_d._, making
altogether, for 2,863,197 lb. of solid food, a sum of 7,788
“Effecting a saving in favour of the South Union Committee of 50 per
cent., or a sum of £7,768
“In support of the above statement, I beg to observe that the ratepayers
of the North Union of Dublin have paid 3_s._ 4_d._ in the pound, whilst
those of the South Union only paid 1s. This result, Sir, speaks volumes
in favour of my system. In addition to the model kitchen, Messrs. Brown
& Co., of Great Suffolk Street, Borough, have erected one of their
patent steam-plate ovens, which can bake on an average 1,000 loaves of 4
lb each every 12 hours with three bushels of coke. The 1,000 loaves
require 11 sacks of flour, consequently, 22 sacks can be worked in 24
hours, 132 sacks per week, at about 1_d._ per sack for fuel. What with
the savings in baking, and also the new process of making bread, I have
introduced, I calculate that full 25 per cent. can be saved on the cost
of bread at all times.
“Therefore, admitting that the model kitchen, the new oven, and the new
bread could only save 35 or 40 per cent. to the ratepayers, the system
cannot be otherwise than particularly interesting to the whole
community.
“I am, Sir, yours most respectfully,
“A. SOYER.
“REFORM CLUB, _Sept. 23_.”
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Under the Patronage of the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of London.