HOLIDAYS.

Evening Star, Issue 3698, 29 December 1874, Page 3

HOLIDAYS.

iTo tlie Editor. Sib, —I have long been surprised that the attention of the public has not been called to the lamentable manner in which what might be termed the lesser holidays are observed. Last season many days, nominally calendar holidays, were practically spoiled by the uncertainty which prevailed as to whether they would be observed or not. On the “ governors ” being questioned the eveningjbeforehand, tee general reply was, “If the others shut we will,” and consequently all bands had to he there on the holiday as on any other morning Then after waiting an hour or so. some “ scout ” would come in with tbe intelligence that “ So-and So” were shutting half the door, on which half our door was likewise dosed, pending “Totherfellow and Co.’s” movements—on whom now depended the question of holiday or no holiday. If they followed suit and closed half their doors, ours was immediately closed for good ; but if they persistently kept it open, then the holiday was over for our trade, and “ So-apd-Sa’s ” halfclosed door was quietly opened—so was ours—and. work carried on, after a fashion, till evening. I distinctly remember three occasions on which the holidays were bungled in this fashion in the beginning of the present year : on two of them we got away about eleven o’clock to make the most of a spoiled day; and oh the other, “Totherfellow and Co.” were obdurate and would not shut; so we remained at our work as usual. Is there any other commercial city where each childishness would be allowed? To prevent Dunedin being an exception to other husim ss centres let one of two courses be adopted—either let the Home system be adopted amng at least wholesale firms, and allow each employe ten days’ or a fortnight’s consecutive holidays, and do away with tbe less important calendar close days; or let the holidays at present on the list be strictly adhered to Seeing Boxing Day and the second day of the *ew Year fall on wbafc is to many a half-holiday, I trust Monday, the 4th, will be held as a close day, and that all will be aware of the fact on Thursday, and const’ quently be able to make arrangements for it. I.trust this letter will bo the means of stirring some from the apathy with which they seem to have regarded this great grievance in the past, and that for the future we all shall know a holiday is really to “come off” before eleven o’clock on the game day.—4 am, Ac., ' ■ CobWoVolflAN. December