HOLIDAY COMMITTEE.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 88, 23 April 1901, Page 2

HOLIDAY COMMITTEE.

CLOSING FOR . MUNICIPAL ELECTION. THE REQUEST DECLINED. A mkktinu of the Holiday Comiuittco was held in tho Borough Council Chambers yesterday morning to consider a request from tho candidates (with the exception of Mr A. Taylor) at the municipal elections for Wednesday (polling-day) to bo declared a public half-holiday this week in place of the statutory Thursday alter, noon. Tho members present were Messrs Townlcy (in the chair), Pcltie, Garrett, Am bridge and xVdams. Mr Townlcy said that the committeo should feel flattered in receiving such an influential requisition, signed by so manyinfluential citizens. Ho hoped that the members would carefully consider the request made to them, and if they thought lit they might alter the day. It was an exceptional occasion, and thcro might bo good reason for the chango being made. The following day (Thursday) the Supreme Court was sitting. As far as business was concerned, lie did not think it mattered much which day tlioy closed. Mr Ambridgo : I "think the petition lias been signed without giving it much consideration. It is open to argument whether the people would not be able to kill two birds with one stone. Besides voting they might like to do a little shopping, and if the business., places were closed they would bo debarred from doing so. I have spoken to several of the gentlemen who signed the petition and discussed the pros and cons of the matter, and the conclusion they arrived at was that they made a mistake' in applying for it. Ido not think that there is anything to gain by closing for the election. There is some likelihood of getting more voters to poll if the business places aro open as well;

Mr Pettie : I admit that this is a most inlluential petition, but my own opinion is that tiie request is unreasonable, and that wo should not fall in with it. Looked at from an election point of view, I cannot sco that it makes any difftrcncc whether the shops arc open or closcM ; in fact, I think tho reverse would be Ih'o case. If tho shops are closed oil tho Wednesday, v peoplo will only go out of town holiday mailing. I think that there is a groat deal in what Mr Ambridgo has said witli regard to persons combining voting • and shopping. Having to come to the poll to vote they are bound to tako the opportunity of doing some shopping, I am perfectly certain of that. Public convenience would not be be benefited by having ur holiday'. Mr Townlcy : That is the principal thing, so long as you arc satisfied that ' voting will take place whether you liavo a holiday or not. Mr Pettie : The polling booth is close to town, and employers would not object to their employees having a little extra time during the luncheon hour to record their votes.

Mr Townlcy : There is nothing to stop people from voting. Mr Garrett: We can do very' well without the holiday'. Some of tho candidates informed me that they signed the petition because they saw the names of the other candidates on tiie list. Mr Adams : It is awkward for me to close on Wednesday', because the steamer arrives in on that day. The mails close foe the Coast early on Thursday morning,and if wc miss that the papers are a week late in reaching settlers. Mr Townlcy : There is no doubt that Wednesday afternoon is a bad day for the shops in Gisborne to close. Mr Pettie : If tho Government thought that it was a matter of importance thev would have fixed a half-holiday for the election. Mr Townle.y : They close for the general election, but those seeking municipal honors must get in as best they

Mr Garrett : I think that there will bo more votes polled with the shops' open than with the shops closed. Mr Townlcy : This is a very important election. There are subjects of great impoitance to be considered, and it is necessary that burgesses should take a deep interest in the election.

Mr Pettie : If I thought that it would tend to increase the interest in tho election, I would be in favor of closing, even if it meant loss from a financial point of view. Ido not, however, think that any good purpose lvould be served by closing on that afternoon. ° Mr Garrett: I do not think that the candidates will be put out by our not closing on Wednesday. The most of them signed the petition because they saw other names down. Mr Pettie: We cannot be too careful how we act in reference to changing the half-hoi id ay. After further discussion it was unanimously decided to decline the request.