A WEEKLY HALF-HOLIDAY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 222, 21 December 1880, Page 2

A WEEKLY HALF-HOLIDAY.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —The frequency of the holidays and half-holidays granted by employers in Ashburton proves that the hearts of the said employers arc in the right ■ place, and that their minds are actuated by other considerations than more money making. Employees in stores and shops used to be considered as just so many machines composed of bone and muscle, and long hours and constant work, without any recreation or time wherein to improve their minds, was the rule, and couscv quently, employees as a class were just what the circumstances in which they were unhappily placed, made them—mere drudges. But, the schoolmaster has since “ been abroad,” and the employers of Ashburton have evidently benefited by his instructions, as is seen in the readiness with which they grant a holiday when asked. They seem to understand the force of the old adage— All work and no play Makes Jack a dull boy,

and sometimes something worse.; But, sir, why not institute a weekly half-holiday in Ashburton, say every Wednesday or Thursday, from noon ? This is not a now idea—if novelty should be put forward as an objection. In many towns and cities in these colonies such a weekly half-holi-day has been established, and, I happen to know, in many places with very happy results, the employers being just as glad as the employed, of the weekly relaxation. I need not say to the intelligent and largehearted employers of Ashburton, that a weekly half-holiday would eMail no loss in their business ; they know, I am sure, what has been amply proved in other places, that just the same amount of business would be done. The thing being well advertised, the people in town and country would fall readily into the. arrangement, and after a few days no inconvenience would he felt by anyone, and the young men and business people generally would have a certain time on which they could count for recreation and mental improvement. I dare not take up more of yqur valuable space now, but I trust the idea will be entertained by emy layers, and acted upon. I am,. Ac., ’ . Ah Employee.