SATURDAY HALF-HOLIDAY.

Press, Volume XII, Issue 1582, 2 December 1867, Page 3

SATURDAY HALF-HOLIDAY.

TO THB BDITOB OF THE PBES3. Slß,—Will you permit mc through your columns to lay before my fellow citizens the following reasons for closing shops on Saturdays at noon. At present, shops being kept open very late on Saturday evenings, persons are so fatigued that in order to obtain the needful amount of rest they are compelled to remain late in bed on Sunday mornings—thus robbing God of a portion of the day appointed for His worship, and rendering those very unfit for the service who reluctantly force themselves to attend some place of worship. Those persons who now have an excuse for breaking the Sabbath, v being the only day

upon which they have an opportunity of taking f*esh air and recreation, would have no excuse if they could have the dssired change on Saturday.

Aβ the Banks and Merchants' offices are closed at twelve o'clock on Saturdays, there is miv'h inconvenience attached to some business transactions, which would be completely avoided by the entire suspension of business on Saturday afternoons.

One half 3ay in the week devoted to recreation would improve both health and morals of all persons entjnged in business. For those who are fond of volunteering, a few hours eacli wepk by da\ light would be found more serviceable than the present plan of meeting for two hours at nujht by g-islighr, added to which all the companies could drill together, which would much improve their efficiency. Those fond of crick*t?n2 would ba able to join in that manly and healthful game without any inconvenience It has been adopted with perfect success in the old country, and would be a boon to the inhabitants of Christchurch.

The custom of making Saturday a market day would of necessity be changed to Friday, a much more convenient day than the last day of the week.

All the business now done in six days could very comfortably be done in five-and-a-half days j and, if all buaineeses were closed, none would be the worse, but many be the better for the change. I am, &0., A Citizen.