EARLY CLOSING.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 1010, 10 December 1881, Page 2

EARLY CLOSING.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —A short time back I noticed a local in your valued paper about a half-holiday on Wednesday, but at the time I read the local I had no idea that it was intended to be a fixed holiday. I thought at the time I read about it, there had been some special holiday, w’hich had caused some one a little disappointment. Now, Mr Editor, living in the country as I do, and as I believe in the good old saying that we should make hay when the sun shines, and as the country folk have to do without, judge of my surprise when I came into town to-day a little before one o’clock ; of course I took my horse to the stable, and there met with our old fiiend Sam, who of course must tell me all about the election, and which candidate was sure to be at the top of the poll. All this, w’hich I was very glad to hear, detained me a short time ; at last I had to tell Sam I must go about my business, as I wanted to return as soon as possible. So with the very best wish for his candidate’s success I left him. When I returned to Glad-stone-road what a change ! the shops all shut up, and few people about. I enquired whether the shops were closed for dinner hour, but was told by the policeman that it was the Wednesday half-holiday, and that the shops were always closed on Wednesday. I had to go to one of the Banks, and found them open as usual, also the pubs, and I must confess, Mr Editor, I do wonder what the business people have done that all shops should bo closed in the middle of the week. Now I was shearing, but the wet stopped all hands ; this morning we could do nothing either with sheep or grass seed, so, as I have told you, I came to town, to find myself in the same fix. I could do nothing in town, because all shops were closed. The shopkeepers cannot want money. In conclusion I would say to the shopkeepers, “ make hay when the sun shines,” and don’t close your shop in the middle of the week in summer. — I am, &c., Countryman.