Correspondence.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 1759, 20 June 1877, Page 3

Correspondence.

LADIES V. EARLY CLOSING. TO THB BDITOB OP THE TIMAEU HIRALD. SlB, — I think the shopmen of Timaru h ive very little cause for complaint, as regards their business hours, and that to plead such a rea«on as late work for non-utteadance at Church on Sunday mornings is the lamest excuse imaginable.

Thrre is, however, another class of the community who require protection, not merely from masters and customers, but from sh"pnien. I refer to the poor unfortunates who hate to plod m all weathers through wind or rain, delirering parcels long after closing hours, and at a time when such as " Ooe Concerned" and "Puri" are comfortably enjoying themselres at home ; and this all through the downright cruel thoughtlessness of many shopmen. These runners would only be too glad of regular hours, and might have them by the exercise of n little management on the part of shopmen. In many instances they are deprived of going to entertainments or evening schools, if so disposed, to say nothing of losing the comfort of a warm sapper and the enjoyment of their own firesides. Shopmen often smile most blandly, and insist on sending the smallest trifles, no matter how far, how late, or m what weather, when the ladies would rather carry tie parcels themselves. I hare opened parcels to see what could be m them requiring such late delivery, and m several instances have found a little calioo, worsted and threads, or such like. «. These were going a long distance oat of town, and at late hours. The blame is cast upon the ladies, but lam sure wer*- it only .put to them properly, tliey would not be parties to any such acts of cruelty.

Our ladies are not one whit behind the ladies of other towns m undertaking works of charity. Here is a work which they can all

engigc m, and one which will be a far greater ornament to them (auil v Inch is unquestionably n work of which th-y mar be proud— a thin» t*:a> cannot be s<itl of the si-colleJ works of charity, such as bazaari), yiz., prev.nting parcels being tent t > tlieir houses ■fter closing time from the slio^s which they patronise. I am, &c., X. Y. Z. June 18th, 1877.