Wednesday Half-holiday

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 90, 28 January 1892, Page 2

Wednesday Half-holiday

The meeting of employers held at the invitation of the Mayor, Mr W. G. Haybittle, in the Council Chamber last night, was a folly representative one. : The following are the names of those present : — Messrs W. G. flaybittle (Mayor), J. C. Thompson, J. C. Morey, A. Eade, j. Taylor. W. Bellve, A. Paw, H.. Ratherfiird, Say well Brothers, Gpbbe & Darragh, I), H. Maoarthnr, M.H.8., W. A, Sandilands, F. Y. Lethbridge, Kirfcon and Curtis, I), Goodbehere, S, J, Thompson, W. Beading, B. F, Haybittle, G. G. Hill, J. Bishop, W. Geo. Shearer, and others. ' ' I At the requeat of the Chairman the Secretary of the Early closing Associa'tian, Mr B. F. Haybittle, introduced the question of the Wednesday half-holiday. He recapitulated all that had been done before in the direction of obtaining this boon. He pointed out that the hands working in the shops and stores at present were occupied from 8 a.m. to 6 '■ pan, on ordinary days, and on Saturdaysfrbm 8 a.m, to 10 p.m. He considered that if they had the half-holiday, gn. Wednesday they would be able to take part Jn the exercises and sporta so beneficial to health^ and by this relaxation they 'would be better able to do their work to "the satisfaction of their employers. He instanced the success which had attended the concession in Palmerston North, and other towns ofjimportance. He moved: "That the Wednesday half holiday was desirable, and the present meeting pledge* itself to carry it out." Mr Carthew seconded the resolution. Mr Macarthur supported the proposal in a short speech. Mr Lethbridge was strongly in favor, of the resolution, and pointed out that: itwas a case the success of which would depend upon mutual concessions rather than upon legislation, which would make it more pleasant for all parties. „ . ; ;.., Mr Sandilands also warmly supported the resolution. Mr George Say well said as far as the blacksmiths and coachbuilders were concerned Saturday was the best day for the half-hohday, but he .thought, they would all agree to close on Wednesday, The Chairman said he would -like to hear what Messrs S. J. Thompson and Cobbeand Darragh had to say, as they were the largest employers of labour. These gentlemen were understood to be favourable. k - The resolution was then put and carried without a dissentient yoieW ! ' ' '' il Mr S. j. Thompsojn " tKer'e proposed and Mr. Sa'ndila'nd/ kßconA&l, {T'Thafal, general stpres shpuldf commence sereiq'^ not earlier than S. a.m. or later than § p.m. except on Wednesdays "and Saturday." This motion excited a good deal of discussion, and was ultimately carried unanimonsly. ? : /' l "?..-j*^v i } ,'^ It was arranged that the Wednesday half- holiday should commence on the first Wednesday in March. A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings. „.._.-..