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Southland Times, Issue 1563, 12 April 1872, Page 2

" Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work," Mr Lumsden took occasion to remind us on Monday evenin r, is a precept stamped with the same high authority as the prohibition which follows. Few will deny this, or slight the experience which enabled him to bear testimony to the practical value of the rule. But the six days' work may be very fairly performed, and yet leave an afternoon for rational leisure and enjoyment. On this there is little difference of opinion, nor on the general proposition that an afternoon sjt apart for this purpose by the general consent of the community would be a benefit to all. But at this point all agreement ceases, and when we come to the practical question of what particular clay of the week should be fixed on, we are met with almost as many different opinions as there are days to choose from. Must we then give up all hope of arriving at any practical result? We think not. Of course if the unanimous consent of the public is required before anything can be done, we will have to wait long enough. But if the opinion of the great majority of pur townsmen and the neighboring settlers can be ascertained to be in favor of one particular day, there is little fear but the minority will in. the long run consent to waive their special preference, for the sake of the general good. Such a result however will not be obtained without the exercise of tact and perseverance by the promoters of the movement. It is on them, and not on the few wrongheaJe I or crotchety nonconformists that are to be found in every society, that the success or failure of the movement depends. The divergence of vie.vs, so apparent amongst the speakers of Monday night, did not seem to be shared by the au lieuce. The verdict of the meeting was most unmistakeably for Saturday afternoon, and with that view, for our own part, we heartily agree. Still any afternoon would be better than noue at all ; and should any other day be found more in accordance with the general wish ol' the community, we will gladly do all in our power to secure its adoption. We wish the movemeut every success.