PAPAKURA.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 347, 22 January 1918, Page 2

PAPAKURA.

HALF-HOLIDAY QUESTION,

WEDNESDAY TO BE CONTINUED. At the special meeting last night of the Papakura Town Board convened for the purpose of fixing the day for the statutory half-holiday to be observed by the shopkeepers in Papakura, the members present were Messrs R M. Gillispie, P. H Holt, W. B Linstrom, T. D. Campbell, W. Richardson, H. Lloyd, with the Clerk (Mr Harold Wilson). Messrs A. Willis and J. Whitaker attended as delegates in favour of Wednesday afternoon being continued to be observed as the statutory half-holiday and Messrs Thorpe and E. C Cole as the delegates in favour of Saturday afternoon being selected. The chairman having read both petitions presented in favour of Saturday and Wednesday afternoon holidays Mr Thorpe argued that wherever Saturday had been adopted as the half-holiday there had been no reversion to any other day. He also pointed out that Saturday was adopted by all the cities. Mr E. 0. Cole remarked that it had often been said that Papakura should get out of its old rut and an opportunity could now be taken to try the Saturday afternoon. If the change did hot prove successful a poll could be taken in September. He knew that the Chairman was hostile to the Saturday afternoon and contended that his (Mr Gillespie's) attitude was hardly in keeping with his position as Chairman as all iuterested parties should be considered. Mr Cole added that 40 per cent of the employers of the Auckland Province had adopted Saturday and had no wish to revert to any other day. He thought that a trial should be given to Saturday after--1 noon. Mr A. Willis admitted that the ' present position was unsatisfactory but he was not in favour of a change until Saturday had been made a 1 universal closing day by law. 1 The Chairman enquired if there 1 was an influx of trade on Saturday 1 and Mr Willis replied in the affirma- ' tiye, stating that more trade was 1 done on that day than on any other day, especially in the evening Mr J. Whitaker said that three parts of his trade was with country ' people who patronised him more on Saturdays. He was in favour of a ' poll being taken on the question. The Chairman, replying to the delegates, said that all interests [ should be considered and if the question had to be settled as to who I was right and who was wrong it could be best decided upon by a poll, opportunity for which to be 1 taken would occur next September ! in conjunction with the biennial Town Board election. His view was that the existing state of things J should not be disturbed except by the voice of the electors at a poll. ' Mr W. Richardson said that the ' workman was generally in favour of Saturday as the holiday as it afforded him an opportunity of visiting his friends during the week-end but from that stand-point the business man was ignored. The Chairman mentioned that he l had been looking up the statistics on t the half-holiday question and found - that only a eleven per ceat of shopr keepers observed Saturday. Mr Cole interjected with the.reraark that such was not the case in the Auckland Province and Mr Thorp added that all big cities observed Saturday. Mr Linstrom mentioned that while he supported the Wednesday afternoon closing he was in favour of the question being decided by a poll of the ratepayers. He pointed out that the Wednesday afternoon closing enabled both employers and employees to go to the city to transact business, which was denied them on the Saturday. Mr Thorpe remarked that trade should be confined to the town and should not be taken away. After some informal discussion the Chairman moved " that Wednesday should be fixed for the statutory weekly half-holiday and that the Minister of Internal Affairs should be notified to that effect." This was seconded by Mr Linstrom and was carried nem con.

" POOR PIGGY." [To the Editor ] Sir-Being a constant reader of your paper (whenever [ can borrow it) I wish to avail myself of your correspondence column to make a few remarks apropos of Papakura Town Board business, more especially in connection with proceedings which concern part of my family, that is part of my eutourage which claims and receives my utmost care and supervision—to wit, my "'young and tender pig-" That I have tended him with care it is most true; true X have enclosed him within a fence. «The very head and front of my offending hath this extent—no more." He is to be adjudicated upon for an offence he hath not committed!,; if he emerges scatheless let him then retire to his seclusion from whence he hath been drawn, and may his accusers for ever after hold their neace!—Yours, etc , v "PORTIA." Papakura, January 21st, 1018. PAPAKURA TOWN BOARD At the special meoting of the Papakura Town Board last night the following matters were dealt with in addition to the consideration of the half-holiday question, viz : STRAY CATTLE Mr Markwick repotted that he estimated the construction of a suitable Pound would be £4O. Mr Campbell suggested that the Surfaceman should be appointed ranger—at any rate a trial could be made. He proposed accordingly and on the motion being put to the meeting that the Surfaceman should be appointed ranger this was agreed to, it being understood that cattle would be impounded in the Reserve. CYCLING ON FOOTHVATIIS Attention was called by Mr Lin* strom to a practice of persons riding bicycles on the footpath. It was decided to communicate with the police on the subject, the offenders to be warned that proceedings will be taken if the practice was continued.

BATHING SHED The sub-Committee reported that they had visited the proposed rite of a bathing shed, on Young's beach. The left hand side of the road as it entered the beach was the most suitable being free from heavy seas during bad weather and the Committee were in favour of that site provided permission could be obtained from the owner of the land upon which it might be necessary to encroach if the rite were used. Mr Holt favoured the rite on the top of the bank by reason of the difficulties arising in connection with obtaining permission for the other rite. On the motion of the Chairman, Messrs Holt and Markwick were empowered to select the site and build a suitable shed at a cost not exceeding £2O in addition to the amount (£5 8s 6d) collected by public subscription for the purpose. At a meeting of business men, convened by Mr R. M. Gillespie, the Chairman of the Papakura Town Board, and held at the Board's office on Friday last, the matter of the proposed new railway station at Papakura was considered. After an informal discussion it was unanimously derided that Papakura's best interest would be served by having the proposed station on the town or western ride of the line and the goods shed on the eastern ride. It was decided to request the Papakura Town Board to make certain suggestions to the Bailway Traffic Engineer for the improvement of the present goods shed to facilitate unloading. An opinion was also expressed at the meeting that m the interests of the town it was advisable that the present cemetery should be closed and that a new rite should be chosen for the cemetery.