WEEKLY HALF HOLIDAY.

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume X, Issue 930, 29 July 1891, Page 2

WEEKLY HALF HOLIDAY.

-I, On Monday evening a meeting was held m the Southbridge Library to discuss the question of a weekly half holiday. Mr R Webster, chairman of the Town Board, presided and there was a representative attendance. The chairman introduced the subject, reminding the meeting that the scheme had already been tried here some time ago and had fallen through, but tbat was no reason why it should not succeed if properly managed. A weekly halfholiday would be a great boon to many of the assisants and to employers as well, an! he thought that by unanimity they could succeed m establishing it Mr Murdoch asked if any of the employers present had any objection to the proposal. Mr ' C. H. Willis said that he could not see his way to closing unless every store m Southbridge and Leeston ..closed also. If the holiday were established, there must be no ■* back door business' about it. Mr Burgess said he was not inclined to close unless the Leeston people joined m the movement. The chairman remarked that when the Leeston people had a halfholiday of their own, they did not ask Southbridge to fall m with it. Mr Willis. And consequently it goon fell to the ground. If Southbridge shops are closed and Leeston shops open the farmers will all go to Leeston. Mr fi. Moore explained that the holiday was not intended to apply so much to the wholesale stores, as to the general shops. In the merchants and tradesmens* shops the hours were short, the men getting away at five every evening. In the retail shops they went to work at eight and were there ' till any tim*.' Mr Burgess agreed. The wholesale places might be left out if they so desired. Ultimately,. on motion of Mr Cameron, a delegate was appointed to canvass both Southbridge and Leeston and ascertain how many of the business people were agreeable to the proposed holiday, and report at a future meeting. Mr Moore suggesied that if the holiday were established, it should be held on Thursday afternoon. This was agreed to and the meeting terminated witb a vote of -thanks to the chair .