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between the hours of 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. by people on their way home after the regular hours for closing— viz., 9 p.m. We are not anxious to keep our places of business open when other business places are closed merely for the love of it, but we are most anxious to conduct our business on lines that are most natural to it, and to ourselves profitable. We beg, &c, Walter Bull, President. Joseph Feltham, Treasurer (Hon.). sth July, 1905. George Edwards, Secretary (Hon.). Copy of Resolution passed at a Meeting of Shopkeepers at Port Chalmers, held 6th July, 1905. [Copy of Advertisement.] Shops and Offices Act. —Meeting at Port Chalmers. A meeting of shopkeepers in Port Chalmers will be held this (Thursday) evening, at 8 o'clock, in the Mayor's room, to discuss the provisions of the Shops and Offices Act. J. Watson, Jun. Mr. Dodds then moved, Mr. Watson seconded, and it was Carried unanimously, " That this meetingis in accord with clause 3 of the Act, with the exception that the shopkeepers not employing labour should be placed upon the same footing as those who do, and that fruiterers, confectioners, fishmongers, chemists, hairdressers, and keepers of refreshment-rooms should be exempted to the extent of being allowed to keep open till 8 p.m. on ordinary days ; further, that butchers should be allowed to open at 6 a.m." The Mayor then moved, and Mr. McEwen seconded, " That the statutory Saturday half-holiday should be made universal." This was carried, Mr. T. J. Harrison dissenting and giving as his reason that it did not suit butchers in the summer-time. It was on Saturday night they did the largest business.

Authority: John Maokay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9os.