THE HALF-HOLIDAY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5417, 29 April 1929, Page 2

THE HALF-HOLIDAY.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —In answer to “Sport” and “Jack” I crave your indulgence for a word oi’ two. First, why should “Sport” and “Jack” be so ashamed of their names or argument as to write under a nom de plume; let them “play up, and play the game.” Both “Sport” and “Jack” would be pleased to learn that the majority of the towns in Taranaki, where New Zealand has looked for her principal reps, have a long day on Saturday. An intimate knowledge of the busy towns in the province named \vill disclose that the half-holiday makes no difference to sport. If there should happen to be a good football, tennis, or hockey player who is wanted for his team, then there is no difficulty in getting him off to play. Now, I hope both “Sport” and “Jack” will vote for Thursday half-holiday. H. V. COCKS. Sir, —The columns of your valuable paper convey the news of an impending poll on the day to be observed as the half-holiday in Paeroa. Indeed, nothing could be better at the present juncture than a change in this matter. Saturday is the natural and popular day for late shopping in country towns, and is the rule in many important centres, such as Hawera, Invercargill, Whangarei, Gisborne, and Rotorua. A late night is the rule always prior to the principal holidays, and as Sunday has become the greatest holiday of all to perhaps 90 percent of the population, the same necessity justifies a late night’s shopping on Saturday and the observance of the half-holiday on another day. The adoption of Thursday afternoon as the half-holiday would bring Paeroa into line as a popular day in the Thames Valley, and enable sports fixtures to be conveniently arranged. Many tradesmen whose work calls them to the outer country districts are at present afforded no opportunity of shopping at leisure with their wives and families. The change proposed, if adopted, will give them greater convenience in this matter. Country folk, whose voice is not easily heard in the mass, have individually urged that shops should be open in Paeroa on Saturday afternoons. The menfolk who attend the sports in the domain can bring their womenfolk and children along on the same day to taste the delights of a wide-open town. The electors of Paeroa who wish to realise the dream of a really live market town will be wise to vote on May 1 foi' the Thursday half-holi-day. ADVANCE PAEROA