DRAPERS' EARLY CLOSING ASSOCIATION.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 499, 16 August 1871, Page 2

DRAPERS' EARLY CLOSING ASSOCIATION.

A meeting- of the members of the abov« Association was held last evening, at the Yonfa Men's Christian Association, Mr. Davis in th" chair. Tile folio*ing resolutions were passed 1 by Mr. Leonard, seconded by Mr Linubury, "That this meeting reoeive fa statement of the committee with extreme regret; as three houflss refuse td elosa at sir o'clock, and thissaid^meeting ea'nno't refr a {n' from expressing its surprise when hearing fail \ three gentlemen should act in direct oppoai. * tion to so large a majority of th« trade not only. by. keeping, their houses open, but by using their influence on others to opposi "a " movement having, for its only object the' weliare -ofjnany and the -injury -of .none"— Moved by Mr. Stanwix, seconded by 'lit'"" Cox, "That this meeting request the com! mittee to convene a public meeting at as early a date as possible, and that his Lordship tine Right Rev. Dr. Cowie be asked to preside^ the time of the meeting to be left to committee.?'—Moved by Mr. O'Leary, seconded by Mr. Long, " That this meeting tendera itsf J ''■ warmest thanks to the gentleman who have novae forward as patrons, to the honorary members, and to the other gentlemen from whom the Association' has received offers of ; assistance."—Messrs. Leonard, and Stanwix J were elected on the committee, after which !i the meeting, separated., r , The followingis the Report referfed to above, and which is* to ite laid before the public meeting, to be shortly' held: — ... ~.-, ■ , , " About four months having elapsed'since the election of the committee of the: Early •■■' Closiug Association, they have convened this meeting to place before' you a brief report of'i their proceedings up tO: the present time. "Directly the. Association was formed, a deputation Waited upon the whole of the employers in Queen, and Shortlarid streets,' iri reference to closing at 6 p.m. during five days oftthe week, and the committee are happy to state that the proposition was favourably received. With the exception of two, all have consented. The committee have made every effort to induce: those: two; houses to come into the general arrangement, but up to tie pw sent time without success.. The.commit^, believe that the obstacle .thus .unneceßVarily' placed in their way will only be removed by a firm and decided expression of public opinion on the subject, emanating from a public meeting, to be cbnveaed for that purpose bniii early date, —a course adopted with great success both at home and in the neighbouring" colonies. ( ~.. ~„ "The priucipalshave been waited upon,1 in reference to their. becoming honorary ..numbers, and the committee have much pleaqjife iv stating that the, following gentlemen,'jh^re. consented:—MesswC S. Vaile, W. Battray, R. Hobbs, R; B^.Shaldera, F. Lorerock, Bennett, J. E. Wile, J., Cosgrave, & ~,Wi Dyson, T. McMastera, J. M. MsLaeHais; Morey. ' «£ .."The committee have great pleasure in stating that the Bight Bey. Dr. Cowie, Bishop of Auckland, and the Right Rev. Dr. CrTbt, Kouian Catholic Bishop of Auckland;, baveii kindly lent their names in aid of the object!! of the Association ; and letters of sympathy,-. have been . received ■ rfrom His Honor tho: Superintendent, the'Kev.' -Mr. Cosh, the Rev. Mr. O'Hara, and others. The committee have also written to most of the clergymen of tins city, asking them to become patrons of the Association, and favourable answers have been receive^ from the following gentlemen : —Bight Bev'. Dr. Cowie, Bishop of Auckland, Biglit Bevi Dr.'Grdke; Roman Catholicß»b.bpj j of: Auckland, Bey. Archdeacon Maunsellj Bevs..J;O.V;W. Davieß, M.A.,S.JIi Dlidlefil J. Ben-y;: E. N. Bi-ee, M.A., P. H. Cornfoht d. Edger, J.. Jv!Lewis; W. McDonald. I ■:- a •" From the Secretary of the Early Cloririjj' Association, Melbourne, tha committee .teS; received copies of. pamphlets, circulars, hand;. bijla, &c, suoh as have been circulated from time to tiiuo iv that city, and further advice and assistance is expected from the same quarter. , ■.. - ...... - > ';■■ ". Up to"'; the present time'very liitle iaa^ been: done in the way of advertising. This it chiefly owing-to >the small amount of fwyih, available/ the' nionihly; subscriptions' averajpngj onlyiabout £2 10s., contributed entirely by . the assistants. '* The: am6uhtß of subscriptions reoeivedi^ to dajte are for tlie months ending April 27, £2 l^.s. ; May 23, £2 9s. } June 22, £2 11s. ; July;2o, £2 Is. Total subscriptionSj £9 16s. " Donations have been- received ; \ii& following gentlemen in ud' ; pf,ith'e l 'fjxudii of'tliS Association :—Mr. Dyson*, £i Is.'; Mr. £1; Mr. Battray, £1 Is.; S. and J. R. Vaile, £5 Ik. ; M. Lovfer'ock,ssj ifor wlnoh.theepnimittee tender their best thanks. " J>isbursemonts havu beeu made to the extent of £7 lls.i 9d., leaving> a balance; one; ;himdiof £6 14s. 3d. There are a few out-, standjing accounts against the* Association, whiclj will reduce .the balauoe to about £3,55./ " ijt is proposed to immediately augment ! the funds of the Association"by holding enter 1' tainnjents, and byjeinbracingtbie offers ofassistiiuice that have bee^i made in the foriii" di" leclurjes, &j., as considorable expense tiill have ■ to be incurred iv further advertising, printuigi and other expenses eontingentr; upoji the.^pr-" getic working of the Association. '■' I'he regular weekly m'eotiiigi' held by the -committee up to the present time will be continued until the affairs of the Assoeiatiou liayfi attained such a form as to warrant them Hi holdiiig the meeting* at longer intervals i-iind on account of the limited nifcans at tkoir'tlis'posal, those meetings ,havp been so, arranged-"! as to form mo chirge^ wilutever ngaiusl \fi^ i funds 6f tlie' Association, an oflloo for to purpose having been kinily placed at their 'disposal.; . . -:- ! <$$ 1 " i'liQ coinniittee.are- much indebted to-.tuS' .Press for, the assistance rendered froui.tiujejfc.« limp, and trust toredeivo a couliuuanoo.ot suuli Vrtiu'ible aid. ... ' . " (n conclusion, the committeo earnestly appeal to the members tor tuke a moro actic*; pnrt iii t the affaira of the Association than tSioy havo'hitlierto done, us the wetfuro of uSiny hundreds of their fellow townspeople will bey vory materially advanced by tho success of the. present movement."