AT THE CITY COUNCIL.

Evening Post, Volume LIX, Issue 129, 1 June 1900, Page 5

AT THE CITY COUNCIL.

At the commencement' of the City Council's proceedings last night, the Mayor mentioned the news of the abandonment of Pretoria. Lord Roberta's arrival at the Boer capital seemed to him to betoken the end of the war. Kruger or any of the Boer commandants must realise that to permit further fighting meant greater loss to each individual of the Republic. He had been asked by a great number or people if the next day would be a holiday. On communicating with the Hon. Mr. Walker he learned that the news was not official, so he would leave the question of a holiday to the Council to decide. Later in the evening the Mayor asked the Council to deal with the matter. Councillor Fraser thought Saturday afternoon might be declared a half holiday. Under any other arrangement business would be disorganised too seriously. Councillor Luke hoped the Mayor would nob proclaim any holiday, but would reserve it until peace had been declared. In the interests of the workers and of the people generally, he thought the Mayer should not . procxaim any holiday. Councillors Smith and Townsend thought we could do without any more holidays till the end of the war. Councillor Barber moved that if confirmation ol tlie news that the Union Jack is floating over Pretoria be received, a half-holiday should be observed from noon to-day (Friday). Much was heard of recent holidays, but there were many who got no holiday on the Saturday or the Monday. Councillor Smith— Many had to go without their wages for Mafeking day. Councillor Winder seconded the proposition, which, however, was lost on the voices. Just before the close of the meeting, about lO.ho p.m., the Mayor said he had been rung up by the Hon. W. C. Walker, who had expressed himself dissatisfied | with the decision of the Council, as the Government was going to proclaim a half-holiday for the public service, and a whole holiday for the school children, and he had also suggested that the Council should hold some evening demonstration. The Council went into committee to deal with the matter. Finally, a subcommittee consisting of the Mayoi and Councillors Izard and Townsend Avas appointed to act. The committee met and decided to invite the citizens to obseive a half-holiday to-day, to hold a public demonstration to-night, and to call a meeting for 11 o'clock this morning to arrange details, etc. In consequence of the inclemency of the weather the Mayor decided this morning that the invitation to the citizens to observe a half holiday to-day should be cancelled, and also that the demonstration which the City Council had arranged for to-night should be abandoned. At a meeting of citizens held at 11 a.m. his Worship's action was approved.