STATUTORY HOLIDAY POLL

Taupo Times, Volume II, Issue 81, 5 August 1953, Page 5

STATUTORY HOLIDAY POLL

PETITION BY ELECTORS . The Taupo Businessmen's Association is now seeking the signatures of electors of the Taupo Town District to a petition, addressed to the Town Board, asking that a poll be taken on the question of the day to be observed as the statutory weekly holiday for shops. This action i follows the taking of an unofficial i poll by the association some littie I time ago. This was organised through local shops and stores, and some four hundred votes were re- j I ccrded, indicating considerable interest in the matter on the part of the j public. Under statutory provisions, a poll is required to determine the closing day to be observed. To secure such a poll it is necessary that a petition be presented to the Town Board signed by ten per cent of the electors of the Town District. The poll which it is anticipated will be duly held is expected to be taken at the time of the next local body elections in October. The present weekly closing day is Thursday, but the Businessmen's Association officially favours Monday. It is pointed out, however, by Mr C. S, Currie, secretary of the Association, that the petition is not a petition for Monday closing, but merely one asking that a poll be taken to

decide the day. Under the Aew voters at the poll will be given the opportunity to vote for any day of the week from Monday to Saturday inclusive. When the Assoeiation's unofficial poll was taken earlier in the year a substantial majority of those voting favoured Monday as the weekly closing day. The Association hopes ihat electors will sign the petition readily to ensure that poll may be held. While ten per cent of the number on the roll are required to sign, a greater number oi signatures must be secured. for it is possible that some may sign in good faitlu believing that their names are on the roll when this may not be thD case, a mistake that often occurs.