Notes From Nelson.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 1, Issue 57, 14 October 1890, Page 2

Notes From Nelson.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

There has been an immense of talk lately with reference to th e proposed removal by the City Council of a monument which stands at the junction of Hardy and Trafalgar streets, and is known as Symon’g Memorial. From what I can hear Mr Symon was a resident of this city, and died here some years ago. Whether he did any particular good to the place nobody seems to know, but certain it is that at his death the townspeople were seized with a great desire to do something, and spake one with another, saying : “ Should we not erect some imposing edifice, whereby our children in years to come will see the reward of the deserving man?” The answer to this question was unanimous; “ Yes, something must be done,” and this something resolved itself into the shape of the present structure, which is made of iron, with very artistically formed lions’ heads on each side, from whose mouths a constant supply of Adam’s wine pours. Four arms branch out from the top of the pedestal, each of which is supplied with a gas jet; the gas is manufactured from Nelson coal, and naturally is equalled by none in this Colony, if, indeed, m the world. Here, .then, we have two of the articles of which we are so justly proud, our excellent gas and pure sparkling water, so that you see the monument serves a double purpose, that of advertising the place, and as an example to the rising youth. Now when the city fathers made known their determination to do away with this monument public feeling ran high, and letters of indignation appeared in the papers referring to the proposal as an act of vandalism and sacrilage. In a very short time a petition asking the Council to stay proceedings was in course of signature,

and was very quickly signed by about two-thirds of the rate-payers. On the strength, of this petition further work was postponed until this evening, when there is to be a meeting of the “ fathers,” and when, no doubt, it will decided to leave this beautiful piece of work where it is. Saturday Half Holiday. Much has been said on the above question of late, and the Nelson Tradesmen’s Association . have frequently had it before their meetings ; but there have always been persons

Much has been said on the above question of late, and the Nelson Tradesmen’s Association . have frequently had it before their meetings ; but there have always been persons who have declined to close their shops on Saturday afternoon, and have thus blocked the whole movement. It is the wish of the majority to close on Saturday afternoon at one o’clock, and remain closed till Monday morning. As this would do away with the Saturday night’s business, it is proposed

that shops remain open until ten o’clock on Friday night.-' Others think Wednesday would be a more favourable day, but as the merchants’ offices, the banks, and other offices are. closed on Saturday, and the carpenters recognise that afternoon as a holiday there is not the least doubt that Saturday is the most favourable day on which to have the holiday. The ' question is now assuming a practical phase. The ironmongers, tailors, painters, booksellers, and chemists , have notified their intention to close their establishments on Saturday at one p.m., but re-open at 6.30. It is thought that this step will influence the other tradespeople to follow suit, and step by step it w r ilf eventually result in shops remaining closed' from Saturday afternoon until Monday morning, and Friday night will be the late night. The object of this movement is to allow the tradespeople to have one afternoon in the week for enjoyment, and to enable the young’ men to take part in athletic sports, such as football and cricket, There are numerous other ways it would work for the good of the community, and it cannot in any way affect business, as the hours of labour in most cases are far too long for the amount of business done. I think this is a movement that should have every assistance, and trust before long to be able to report that Saturday afternoon is recognised as a holiday by the whole of Nelson.

An American paper says:—‘lf these Australian briisors do not quit coming over here and knocking out our homerinade plugugios, wo shall have to plicc a tariff on foreign-prize fighters, American blackguardism must be protected against the pauper foetrado blackguards of effete monarchies,'