PUBLIC MEETING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 140, 23 October 1868, Page 3

PUBLIC MEETING.

A public meeting, to consider the question of the change of imrket day, with tiie view to i weekly half-holidiu-, was held at the Town Hall, at half-past 7 o'clock last evening. The Mayor of Christchurch occupied the chair; and on the platform were Wynn Williams, Provincial Solicitor; J.~G. Hawkes, M.P'.'C; A. Duncan., M.P.C.; Joseph Palmer, J. P.; Rev. to. A. Lingar.l; M. B. Hart, Senr.; W. H. Lane, John Anderson^ A. Angus, &c. There waa a large attendance^ The Chairman stared tho object for which the meeting had b<>en convened, and rend the resolutions which were to be proposed. He desire 1 to say a word in the way of apology for Mr John Oilivier, who was to have proposed or seconded one of the resolutions. Mr Ollivier was prevented • from attending, becaus3 hehad previously promised to give a rending in the Heathcote Schoolroom. He (the Chairman) wished to know what the opinions of the public were on the question of a change in the market day; and he could assure them that whatever were the opinions of the majority of the people of Christchurch, the Borough Council would endeavour, as far as they could, to conform to their views. He had now to call on Mr Wynn Williams to propose the first resolution. Mr Wynn Williams said that so far as his individual opinion was concerned, it was neither on the cne side nor the other as to the question to be discussed His mind was entirely unbiassed ; he had no personal interest whatever in the matter, and he merely consented to propose the resolution in order that public opinion might be expressed. He was told that some farmers had an objection to offer against any change being made in the market day, but he believed that this objection was merely frivolous. Action must necessarily be mutual in this matter, for the townspeople were as much dependent on the country people as thi-y" were on those of the town. It was impossible to carry the matter out unless both classes were agreed upon the change proposed. Tlie question was this, was it advisable to change the market day from Saturday to Thursday ? He believed it was. (Applause). At the present time, people came from the country districts on Saturdays, and were unable to transact all their business in consequence of the cloning of the banks at so early an hour of the day a-> twelve o'clock. He believed, therefore, that the country people would prefer to come to town on a day on which they could transact the whole of their business before returning home. He had intended to be present at a meeting called the other evening for the formation of an Early Closing Association. With regard to that movement, he did not think for a moment that it was intended to lie au association of employed as against the employers. Such an association, in his opinion, should include both. (Hear, hear.) He would repeat that he was no partisan on the question ; it must not appear that the townspeople were dictating to those of the country. It was essential that the movement should have the support of both classes. (Applause.) He begged to move " That in the opinion of this meeting, the marlcet day should be changed to Thursday, and that the Mayor and Borough Councillors should be respectfully requested to use their influence to promote the change." Mr W. H. Lane seconded the resolution. He had had some experience of the inconvenience suffered by farmers in finding the banks and most of tde merchants' and solicitors' offices closed at one o'clock on Saturdays. He believed that a chin.re of the market day was advisable. He agreed with Mr Williams that this was a step which required the united action of all those who were most deeply interested. Mr M. B. Hart said he could not agree entirely with the remarks of the two previous speakers, that the matter was a simple one. On the contrary, it was one which re quired grave and Ciir^ful consideration before any decision were arrived it. It was not the opinion of the townspeople alone which it was necessary to have expressed. The views of the people of the country districts were wanted on a subject which concerned them so very materially. He considered that it would be unwise to chtnge the market day to Thursday, because he believed it would have the effect of driving what 1 ittle trade there was out of Chri?tchurch. He would not therefore agree with any resolution proposing the change of market day. He would be quite prepared to joiu in any movement which hid for its object the giving of a ß half holiday in the middle of the week, and the closing of the business places at six o'clock on Saturdays. The Key. E. A. Lingaud said this was the first time in his life that he had addressed a public meeting, and he would not have done go now if he had not been requested to attend as a clergyman. He was certain that no one took a greater amount of interest in the subject under discussion than himself. It ! had often been said that clergymen should not interfere with politics, and lie agreed with this view to a certain extent ; but this was a question which affected the well-being of the population generally. He waß con-

vinced that the holding of the market on Saturday was prejudicial to trade, and to persons individually. He quite agreed with Mr Hart that the question of changing the market day was one which required grave consideration ; but he must express his conviction that the change of the market day to Thursday would be fraught with benefit alike to trade nnd the whole community. He regretted to say that Mr Wynn Williams' observation was lamentably too true, for he knew instances where men spent the greater part of their money on Saturday evenings and even on Sundays. He had also inquired of young men from time to time why it was they were not at Church, and their reply was that they were obliged to lie in bed on Sundays in consequence of the late hour to which they worked on Saturdays. He also thought th »t the people might be content with having their newspaper delivered later on Mondays, so as to do away with Sunday labour. Or they might evea be content with an Extra, containing Saturday's news, issued at noon on. Mondays. He earnestly trusted that the market day would be changed in accordance with the resolution. (Applause.) Mr Cox, (of the firm of Cdx and Baber) refuted tbe arguments used by Mr Hart. Mr J. G. Hawkks also characterised Mr Hart's remarks as being entirely bald. He had no doubt that with a certain class of individuals the movement would be most unpopular, but he was convinced that the vast majority of the people of all classes would most heartily support it. Mr Woodpord spoke in support of the resolution. Mr Wtnn Williams, in replying, said that Mr Hart's remarks were selfish. If the market day were changed to Thursday, he (Mr Williams) was convinced that only one drunken man would he found returning home to every ten observed to leave the town on Saturday evenings. He again desired it to be understood that the townspeople must not be understood as dictating to the people of the country districts. Mutual action was absolutely necessary to bring about the change that was proposed. (Hear, hear.) Mr Hart stepped forward to address the meeting, but there was a storm of hisses, and he retired. The Ciiaikman expressed his concurrence with the resolution, which was put and declared to be carried, only one hand being held up against it. Mr J. G. Hawkes moved the next resolution as follows : — " That in the opinion of this meeting, Saturday would be the most desirable day for a half-holiday, and that a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to the Worshipful the Mayor of Christchurch." He believed that a half-holiday would be a great boon, both to employer and employed. Saturday was the day of all days on which this holiday should be observed. It had been said by some that an injustice would be inflicted on the young men of Ohristchurch if a half-holiday were given ; but he entirely denied that such would be the case. The Banks had adopte 1 the half-holiday system for some time past, and it was known that these hours were devoted to exercises at cricket, boating, &c. Mr John Andhrson seconded the resolution, endorsing the remarks that had been made by Mr llawkes in proposing it. The Rev. E. A. Lingard expressed the gratification he felt at the manner in which the first res lution was received, as it shewed pretty clearly what the opinion of the people of Christchurch was on this subject. 11« did not like to hear the remarks that had been pointed towards Mr Hart. He (Mr Linginl) was not one of those who would advocate the putting down of public-houses ; it was the abuse of them which should be put down. (Applause.) He hoped that the second resolution would be carried like the first. The resolution was carried, there being only one hand held up against it. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.