VISIT OF ENGLISH FOOTBALLERS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9093, 20 May 1908, Page 6

VISIT OF ENGLISH FOOTBALLERS.

QUESTION OF CLOSING IN MASTERTON. The Holidays Committee of the Wairarapa Employers' Association met yts.erday morning and discussed the question of declaring a half-holi-' day on Saturday*next, the occasion of the football match between the Ango-Welsh and Wairarapa - Bush football teams. The following resolution was eventually carried unanimously:— "This committee cannot seejits way to grant a holiday on Saturday, on account of the serious inconvenience to country residents, and the bad effect on the trade of the town." A public meeting convened by the Mayor (Mr P. L, Rollings) was held in the Borough Council Chambers, last evening, to discuss the question of the closing of business premises in the town for a few hours on Saturday afternoon on the occasion of the English and Wairarapa-Bush football match. There were about twenty people ppresent, mostly tradespeople. The Mayor explained that when he inserted the advertisement convening the meeting' he did not know that there was a committee to which such matters were relegated, namely, the Holidays Committee of the Wairarapa Employers' Association. However, the Secretary of the Rugby Football Union had written to him since a resolution passed that morning by the committee adverse to the proposal, and requesting him to declare a half-holiday. His Worship said he did not wish to fly in the face of the committee, but at the same time he thought the committee should be asked to reconsider its decision. The match ;vas a very unique one—in fact one of such importance that the mark the occasion in some way. It was the first match of the tour, and there were many other reasons why a strong resolution should be sent to the Hojidays Cornmitee, asking them to 1 reconsider their decision. He moved that the Holidays Committee be requested to reconsider its decision and to recommend a general holiday be declared on Saturday between the hours of 2 o'clock and 5 o'clock for the purpose of enabling all persons to see the match." Mr G. Hyde seconded the motion. The Mayor stated that he had received a letter from Mr R, E. Howell apologising for being unable to attend the meeting, but stating that he intended to close his premises whether other firms did or not. i Mr T. J. Thompson said he did not wish to go counter to the committee, but thought that little business would ba done while the match was on, and he thought the Holidays Committee should reconsider its decision. Mr B. Chapman said that he and Messrs J. Lyall and J. Duggan, who were present, represented the Rugby Union, and wished it to be understood that tne Union did not expect a full half-holiday. He stated that the local Union would get very little out of the proceeds of the match, and after it had paid the heavy expense it was incurring it might even be out of pocket. Various other speakers spoke strongly in favour of the motion, it being pointed out that Carterton and Greytown were closing. Ihe motion was put and carried unanimously, and Messrs Hyde, Thompson and the Mayor were appointed a deputation to wait on 'the Holidays Committee to present the resolution. It is probable that the committee will meet this morning.