The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1968.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 204, 26 March 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1968.

A few days ago wo spoke at length on the desirability of establishing a Mechanic's Institute here, and of the good likely to arise, if by any means the youth of Westport could be brought to a study of literature, or weaned from attendance at the Casino. One of the means found so effective in other places for accomplishing this object, has been the inauguration of early closing associations, whereby a reciprocity and unanimity of feeling has been engendered, which has gained for the shopman and the mechanic, a great boon in the shape of time for study and innocent recreation. In Hokitika and elsewhere on the Coast, the retail shopkeepers invariably close at seven o'clock, and the extra relaxation both to the married and the single employer and employed, has already been productive of the greatest good. A movement of the kind is on foot here, and we aro assured that with the exception of one draper, whose name we will not at present mention, the whole of the employers in the same lino of business

have agreed to close at seven o'clock, i If it could be shown that there was any 1 necessity for keeping open until a late 1 hour, somo excuso might be found for s objecting to a movement of the kind, j but it is well known that wo aro not ) near enough to a digging community to ' be visited after the day's work 'is done. : The miners who visit Westport to sell their gold, almost invariably have to < leave town for home long before sun- , down, and all purchases are consequently made before seven o'clock ; and although there are to be found, ladies who put oil* their shopping until a late , hour, it has been found in other localities, and would doubtless be found here, that they would only be too anxious to shop early, if by so doing they were enabled to have more of the society of their husbands or sweethearts. For an esrly closing movement to sucoecd, it requires to be general, for however willing the respectable tradesman may be to close his establishment to enable his employee's to gain a leisure hour in the evening, he does not like to do so whilst a neighbor whose views are not cast in the same philanthropic mould, keeps open to catch any stray customer who may be about. As the feeling in favor of early closing is very prevalent both amongst employer and employed, we would advise those most interested in its being carried out, to call a public meeting and ventilate the subject, so that popular opinion may shew the mercenary or obstinate storekeeper, who sticks out for the old kite closing ideas, j that ho is standing in his own light, and , is an enemy to progress and enlightenment. In England, noblemen an gentlemen totally unconnected with trade have interested themselves, both : in the formation of early closing institutions and mechanic's institutes, aud we are sure, that were a meetingcalled, we have able and willing men in ' Westport, who could assist the shopmen and others in gaining for them the desired end. Every day the world is getting more enlightened, and the standai'd of education more high, and it behoves the youth of this place and other parts of the colony, to improve themselves in mental culture, or they will be ultimately far behind in the race; for this object they require opportunity, and we hope these few remarks will be the means of establishing early closing iu this town, so that they may have no excuse hereafter, if they arc made painfully aware of their shortcomings.