HOLIDAY COMMITTEE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2015, 26 February 1907, Page 2

HOLIDAY COMMITTEE.

MEETING LAST NIGHT. Last night a meeting was held in the Borough Council offices to elect a Holiday Committee. It was intended to he a meeting of tho business people of the town. At halfpast seven, the time appointed for commencement of the proceedings, the Mayor (Mr Townley) and one other gentleman were the only persons present besides tho representatives of tho newspapers. After waiting ton minutes another business man put in an appearance. The Mayor remarked that Gisborne jieople understood half-past seven to mean eight o’clock in the case of a meeting, but at that hour there were only seven persons present, and this number was not increased during the proceedings. The Mayor, in opening the proceedings, said the old Holiday Committee had dissolved at their last meeting, and they had left it to tlie public to elect a, new committee. He (His Worship) was surprised that so few of the business people of the town were present. It was not a healthy state of things at all. What was wanted was unanimity and to work together. They were in tlie same position as on the last occasion —tho number attending was only sufficient to form a committee. It was surely worth the while of the business people to come together to discuss the matter and decide whether they should have a Holiday Committee or not. But there were only seven persons present. He should like them to say whether they should go on or not. Mr East thought it would be well to have a committee to guide them ill the matter of holidays. There was a litle cross action some while ago, but that should not prevent them having a committee. It would give the retail shops a certain amount of confidence if a committee were formed, and any proposals would ho treated with more respect if they came from a Holiday Committee.

Mr W. Pettie said only four or five attended the meetings of the old committee. Therefore they felt that it would ho better to dissolve and let another committee be formed. It seemed to him from the attendance that night that the Gisborne people did not want a holiday committee. It would be a farce to elect a committee from so small an attendance.

Another gentleman said it would bo perfectly- ridiculous to elect a committee when they only had a very few persons present. If a committee were only a committee in name it would simply be a farce, for little or no notice would he taken of its decisions. It was necessary to have a srong committee.

The Mayor said ho had anticipated a much larger meeting. He had called the meeting himself, and thought a good many of the business people would lxavo been present. If they did not elect a committee that evening lie would call another meeting whenever it was desired.

Mr Sliierlaw thought it was desirable to have a Holiday Committee. The wishes of the former Committee had always been respected by most of the tradespeople. But he did not wish to elect a committee that night, for if they did it would he said that they had done so for their own honor and glorification.

The Mayor said that after these expressions of opinion he would adjourn the meeting.

Another gentleman said that on tiro next occasion they had better go round and drag the business men in by the hair of the head. (Laughter.) The Mayor: Well, gentlemen, thank you for your attendance. We will adjourn.