THE WEEKLY HALF-HOLIDAY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10263, 22 January 1895, Page 4

THE WEEKLY HALF-HOLIDAY.

(Fboji Odb Own Correspondent. )

Auckland, January 21.

One of the moat eminent members of the Auckland bar, who is also politically opposed to the prsseut Government, states that he has considered the recent action 01 tha mayor and City Council under the provisions of " The Shop and Shop Assistants Act 1894," and has arrived at the following conclusions :—" (1) That the mayor is, by virtue of his office, a msraber of the conferencs, and no action the council may take can agett hia position in that respect (see sub-section 3 of section 9) ; (2) that the councillors, by refusing to appoint delegates, have broken the law, which expressly etatas that they shall {vide sub-section 2 of section 9) appoint, and they could ba compelled by mandamus from the Supreme Court to discharge that duty."

(Peb United Peess Association.)

Wellington, January 21. At a meeting of the cout'srence of delegates on the half-holiday question Mr Luka (mayor of Wellington) and Mr Bayfos (delegate for Mel-ose) were proposed as chairman. Mr Luke | declined to vote, cud theia were four for each. i'".°. C!ty, solicitor was called in, and gave his ! opinion that Mr Luke rrsusk vote, whereupon he gave his voice for Mr Buylias. The latter had co sooner taken the chair and letters were read notifying the appointment of delegates than Mr Haroonrt attacked the legality of Mr Bayliss's appointment, stating he had bean informed be was appointed by the Public Works Committee cf the Meircse Council and not by the council itself. The Chairman said ihej bad heard the letter read notifyius; his appointment. Mr Hsrcourfc persisted; and asked the chairman to say distinctly whether he had be-cn properly appointed. Xlia Chairman declined to say more than he had dove. Mr Hurcourt said this was an. important matter, and would probably lead to a lawsuit if anything not in order took place, for ho was aware the matter would ba taken by thoso interested to the Supreme Court. Ha suggested the meeting Bhouhl ba adjourned to enable th« Melroae J Council, which nieefa; oa Wcdntsoay, to pro- i l^erly elect its delegate if th:3 Lad not been j done. This was .-greed to, and tha coafereuce adjourned till Mcuday. It is understood that it the conference rcmr.ius as at present constituted the decision will be in favour of WedßßSday.