HALF-HOLIDAY & SPORT.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1740, 3 May 1913, Page 7

HALF-HOLIDAY & SPORT.

GREAT. IMPETUS IN AUCKLAND. (By. Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.) - .'. ' Auckland, May 2. A great impetus-is expected in out-door fiports as a result of the universal Saturday half-holiday having been decided upon-.in 'Auckland. Several representatives, of Football, Hockey, and Cricket Associations, when spoken to this morning, predicted an all-round improvement in the standard of play by tho inclusion in tho Saturday teams of many fine athletes .who have-so far-bee# prevented from donning jerseys or flannels on the last day of the week. "We feel that the junior teams will benefit more than ths seniors," said a' prominent football official, "because very few front-rank players have been 1 content to remain in employment where they could not get the Saturday off. They have • either nnide arrangements! ' for special leave, or found billets with the Saturday half-holiday fiwiis. All the eame, there are many fine young players coming on in the Wednesday teams who, when they find openings in tho Saturday matches, aro suro to make their mark." ... i

Other sportsmen pointed out that this was only one of the satisfactory aspects of the case, inasmuch as the. liberation of a larger body, of shop assistants on the name afternoon would result in bigger "gates," thus enabling sport- to be concentrated and raised' to a higher standard. ... . , , , A well-known racing ofhcial spoke favourably of the change, remarking that although it would to some extent interfere with the attendances on Wednesdays, he thought that the increased patronage on Saturdays would more than compensate. : "At any rate," he said, "all the racing people seemed to agree that . Saturday was best' for the half-holiday." Some owners of business properties in Newton—at present a very busy centre on Saturday .afternoons and evenings—view; the decision of the ratepayers with concern, fearing that it inHit have the effect/ of .lowering rents. Others, however, are quite optimistic, and declare that the.central position of Newton .will enable the Karangahape Read shops to retain the extensive retail business whi'ih they 'have -built up. during, recent yeais, and if they do, the demand for shops in that quarter will be us keen as ever. Tho fact may.be again mentioned that fruiterer', restaurant keepers, and kindred tradesmen are exempt from the provisions of the Act, and also that tobacconists, hairdressers, and butchers are all allowed to choso another day it tliej think fit. _ ■