FAIRLIE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20639, 30 January 1937, Page 8

FAIRLIE

SATURDAY ADOPTED AS HALF-HOLIDAY LARGE COUNCIL MAJORITY Saturday was fixed as the statutory half-holiday in the Mackenzie County by the Council at its monthly meeting yesterday on the motion of the chairman, Mr C. J. Talbot. The change from Thursday was effected by a majority of seven votes to one, Mr George Murray being the only member dissenting. Before the new half-holi-day will come into operation, the Council’s decision will have to be gazetted, and that it is understood will require some time. A deputation consisting of Messrs H. Carlton, W. A. B. Morton. W. H. Collins and C. Mannix waited on the Council to put forward the case for the Saturday half-holiday. The request was also supported by a letter from Mr Esmond Goodwin, president of the Fairlie Tennis Club and a petition signed by 27 employees in Fairlie who were affected by the Shops and* Offices Act. For the retention of Thursday as the half-holiday, a petition signed by 12 Fairlie business people was forwarded. Those signing the petition were: Tire National Mortgage and Agency Company, James Braddick, James H. Gilmore, Mrs H. C. Manaton, P. A. McAteer, J. A. Fraser. Brunton and Coutts, Fairlie Motor Company, D. Elms, C. C. Knight and G. Duim. “Don’t you think we should chuck the whole business out altogether?” Mr George Murray remarked before the deputation was received. “Every year this matter comes up and we make enemies because of it. Whv should we take the responsibility?" The chairman: We are bound by law. Mr H. Carlton, the first speaker for the deputation said the Council had been approached 12 months ago to alter the half-holiday, but at that time it had not granted the request because the change had not been fully tried out in other centres in South Canterbury. To obtain a guide those connected with the deputation had written to the Mayors of Waimate, Temuka and Geraldine and obtained opinions to the effect that the Saturday half-holiday was working satisfactorily and that a change would not be contemplated. “We come before you representing 75 per cent of the business firms in the town,” he proceeded, “and have brought representatives of the farming community with us to support our request.” The old marketing day was as out of date as the old songs. Even members of the Council came to Fairlie sometimes and found that it was inconvenient because they could not do business on Thursday afternoon. “Hardy Old Perennial” “This hardy old perennial is cropping up year after year,” stated Mr W. A. B. Morton. “All the arguments for and against it you know and it is unnecessary for me to go into them to-day.” The deputation was not going to ask for something detrimental to the farming community. I ast year they had tried to bring the district into line with other centres. This time they had handed In a letter from Mr George Dash who had been very much opposed to the Saturday half-holiday, and he now wrote in praise of it. Concluding, Mr Morton said it was up to those in authority to arrest the trend to the towns. A holiday at the end of the week was infinitely better than one in the middle. It was only necessary to read between the lines to see that a forty-hour week was going to be universal. “I am not representing anyone,” Mr W. H. Collins said in reply to a ques-' tion from the chairman when he was about to rise, “but I am speaking from the point of view of the farming community.” He did not sea that it mattered to the farmers what day was observed. His only regret was tnal the Council could not grant the farmers a half-holiday. After the deputation withdrew, the chairman moved that the Saturday half-holiday should be adopted. “It is absurd in a town like this that we should observe Thursday and other towns Saturday,” he said. A further reason was that the Government wanted the universal adoption of the 40hour week and a whole holiday on Saturday was coming. The adoption of Saturday as the half-holiday was not going to injure anybody seriously or affect business. “Responsibility on Council” Mr P. Kidd, who seconded the mourn, said members of the Council had to realise that a heavy responsibility rested on them. He thought he was quite safe in saying that if a referendum were taken Saturday would be carried by a large majority. “I think it is the duty of the Council to give way to the majority,” he stated. “I very much regret that the resolution was not carried last year.” He stressed the handicap put on football players and others who wanted to compete in provincial games. He asked the Council to obey the direction given hundreds of years ago, “do unto others as you would that they should do unto i ou.” Mr George Murray: “Of course you all know my opinion." (Laughter). He considered that the half-holiday was intended to make a break in the week. The man in the country who was most interested in the matter did not get a say. He detailed what he considered were the advantages of the Saturday late night tor country people. As a country man, he w’ould like to add the observation that .there was a little too much sport i- 1 the British nation. The chairman congratulated Mr Kidd on the way he had put forward the case for Saturday. The inconvenience caused to the farming community would not be very great. “It is hardly necessary to put the motion to the meeting,” he added. Mr Murray: I want to register my vote against it. “THE GAY DIVORCEE” The versatile Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers will appear in a delightful musical comedy, “The Gay Divorcee,” at Fairlie Pictures at 8.30 to-night. Gay songs, clever dancing and spectacular musical numbers enhance an amusing story of two pairs of lovers who find that the path of true love does not run smoothly. The musical S““nbers Include “iczht and

Day,” “The Continental,” “A Needle in a Haystack” and “Don’t Let It Bother You.” Alice Brady and Edward Everett Horton do some clever work in the two principal supporting roles. Splendid supporting items will be screened. STREET NAME PLATES On the motion of the chairman 'Mr C. J. Talbot) at yesterday’s meeting of the Mackenzie County Council, the engineer (Mr D. Jeune) was instructed to go into the matter of affixing name plates to the corners of Fair'ie streets. The chairman remarked that there had been a good deal of Interest aroused over the matter. PERSONAL Walter Butters, Sherwood Downs, who has for the past two years been studying under the Government Correspondence School, Wellington, has received advice that he has been rec nmended for a senior free place.

Mr E. Cholertno, optical specialist, managing director of Procter’s, the opticians. Christchurch, will be visiting Fairlie, personally, and may be consuited on all defects of eyesight at the Gladstone Hotel on Monday and Tuesday. 11th and 12th January, from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. Appointments can now be made by ringing the Gladstone F a 4rlie. ’phee*e St ... -