ST ANDREW’S DAY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19811, 1 December 1919, Page 7

ST ANDREW’S DAY.

HALF-HEARTED OBSERVANCE. 11 AN ANNOYING HOLIDAY.” Tcww-.t :-s being observed in tho city fts St Andrew's Day by the banks, most of tho Government departments and n, Tow private lirms, but by tho groat body of business people it is referred to as another of those annoying little holidays.” Tho actual anniversary ol Bt Andrew’s Day was yesterday, but ia accordance with modern custom the holiday lias been advanced twenty-four hours, and business people suffer inconvenience in order that a few may enjoy >, quiet, and peaceful holiday. Tie groat majority of tho people usually forget that- there is such a holiday iim Si Andrew’s Day, until they endeavour to do business at the banks nr with Government departments. Today, in addition to being observed as St Andrew’s Day, is the seventy-fifth anniversary of the birth of Queen Alexandra. J.n the big depart mental buildings in .Worcester Street the only departments open this morning were Customs, Labour, State Dire and Electoral. Two caretakers wore kept busy yll tho morning directing people away who had called to do business with the fortuna’to departments whose doors wore closed. Being curious ns to the reason why some departments are open while others nxe closed, a ” Star ” reporter, who inquired at the State Fire Department, was informed that the Department could not afford to close because it was in competition with insurance companies whoso offices wore open. “ Bub what about the Btato Coni Department ?” pursued the reporter. “I suppose it’s just a question for tho .Department itself to decide.” was the reply. “ Fossibly they may be short of coal atul welcome a relief from prospective customers!” Likewise it Was ascertained that the Customs Department remained open v COl JvenieJiee of business people, that tho Electoral Department officials bad remembered that an election was approaching and the T,a hour Department kept its doors apart in order to welcome anyone looking for a ton, 01 to receive inquiries about workers' dwellings, etc. A glance around Cathedral Square confirmed the idea that Si Andrew’s Day was tint a very important holiday. Iho Government Life Insurance Department bad tho ” no business ” sigiial flying, but tho Tonl'ist Department was still open lor the convenience of visitors. The National Provident Fund office, on other hand, remained loyal to Scotland's natron saint, and was observing a brief respite from its labours. On the opposite side of the faquare the post office, telegraph office and money order nhic’e and Savings Bank were being kept busy, there being no appearance ol tho holiday spirit about these offices. Around in Durham otreot the old Government Building was barred and locked. The .Magistrate s Court disposed of its business at an early bom- and then closed tin, shutters lor the day. but near-bv, tho supreme Court was in full swing, the Judge having a big list of undefended divorce cases to deal with. The Education Board s office had a partially dosed appearance, but closer investigation showed the full staff to be at rk, 1 1 1 1 ” Dity Council Chambers displayed wide-open doors. [ ikc oti, cr saint dnvs. pr<sents a good example of how some public holidays should not bo observed. A CORRESPONDENT'S SUGGESTION. “Thp system of patron saint holidays *8 weak at the knees.” writes a corroppondent "T\hy should Englishmen and Irishmen and Welshmen be debarred from the joys of work because this happens to bo the anniversary of St Ancfrow? m, Wtth. AZJS T? ( b b a Tl oUncing ‘ 0,1 St Andrew 8 Day Scotchmen employed in various departments must stay at home. Other nationalities will work sual .? Or ail Scotchmen could lie drafted into one department, and that department alone would close on St Andrew s Day. The same with Enemhslep T- C k eor e< ! '* kay. Irishmen