THE SUNDAY QUESTION.

Southland Times, Issue 927, 3 April 1868, Page 3

THE SUNDAY QUESTION.

(to thb editob op thh southland times.) Sir, — Being a visitor to the Bluff, on Sunday last, I witnessed tlie discharge of cargo arriving by the Gothenburg at that port. The sight being unusual at a New Zealand port, I made enquiries and find it is customary at the Bluff. The inhabitants appear very anxious for the discontinuance of the practice, and urge that no sufficient reason exists for its continuance. I was informed by a passenger that the captain of the Gothenburg, when nearing the Bluff, had stated that he expected to remain at the port until Monday, believing that he would not be allowed to discharge on Sunday. The freight by the steamer was, as I understand, about 40 tons. Divine Service was announced to be conducted in the afternoon and evening in the Schoolroom, but the bulk of the inhabitants were, in one way or other, engaged with the steamer, and the attendance was consequently very small. It is high time the practice is discountenanced, and the residents allowed to enjoy Sunday in quiet. The present course entails Sunday labor on all classes of Government officials, and Custom House and forwarding agents, and it may be said on nearly every one at the Bluff — all being more or less connected with shipping. It is beside" subversive of morality, as well as evincing disregard for the sanctity of the Sabbath. The reasons which might have been urged for the course some years sinee — in themselves questionable — have no force whatever now. I trust that as public attention is now directed to this public and apparently official desecration of the Sabbath, it will at once become a thing of the past, and that no more will be seen or heard of it. Let not the Bluff remain the only port in New Zealand in which so palpable a violation of right is permitted. — I am, &c, Visitoe. Invercargill, March 31st, 1868.