SATURDAY HALF-HOLIDAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8456, 16 June 1913, Page 5

SATURDAY HALF-HOLIDAY

CHRISTCHURCH SHOPS HAVE BUSY MORNING. Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, June 16. Yesterday shop assistants in Christchurch and districts in the vicinity of the city experienced the pleasure of ceasing work for the day at 1 o’clock as a result of the recent poll fixing Saturday as the day on which th© weekly half-holiday is to be observed. Very fine weather prevailed, and the various attractions provided in the shape of football and hockey games were well patronised. The effect of the change in the day of the half-holiday was fully apparent in the streets during ts.e afternoon. As a rule on Saturday afternoon the streets of the city are thronged by people parading up and down. Yesterday they wore a comparatively deserted appearance. All shops, of course, were dosed, and there was really nothing to keep people in town. Even hotels were poorly patronised. In the morning the city appeared to be unusually busy and animated. It was the last opportunity of shopping before the week-end, and the retail establishments were kept going at top speed to satisfy the demands of customers. Between 12 and 1 o’clock was an exceptionally busy period, and many of the shops were positively rushed during this interval. Big crowds paraded the streets on Saturday night. “LATE FRIDAY NIGHT” IN AUCKLAND. Press Association. AUCKLAND, June 15. Opinions of tradesmen are divided regarding th© closing of shops on Sat-' urday night, which came in force last night for the first time. Some are quite satisfied with the new system, others, small business men especially, think differently. All are agreed that the first ‘‘late Friday” was not a success; but had weather prevailed, and it is held that this may have had some effect on the position.