THE TITANIC DISASTER.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 101, 27 April 1912, Page 9

THE TITANIC DISASTER.

{To the Editor.) Six,—: a vi.iw Of rendering assistance to sufferers through the enormous disaster which recently occurred to the Titanic, the Hayward's Pictures Enterprises, Ltd.. generously proposed to give a series of picture entertainments on Sunday evening next, in three xjf their theatres. -viz_ the Lyric, Royal Albert Hall and the 'Empire, in Dominion-road, subject, of course, to the approval and concurrence of the civic authorities. The proceeds of such entertainments, without any deduction, were to be donated to the fund already referred' to." The result of the application was that permission v.as not granted, and, as a consequence, the entertainments, although for such a commendable, deserving, and, I may say, very special object, cannot be- proceeded with. • it is true that since the. application was dealt with further consideration has been given to the matter by the authorities, and their previous decision modified to the extent, that whilst they cannot consent to such entertainments being given on the Sunday night, they arc prepared to allow them to take place on the Sunday afternoon. The reason af-signed for such modification i-, "through strong opposition by the clergy, and other sources.*' It might be interesting to know what the "other sources" are. I am given to understand on very reliable authority that the Hayward's Picture Enterprises, Ltd.. are ot the opinion, which is based upon business experience, that such entertainments, given in the afternoon, would not be likely to produce anything like such good results, even for such a worthy and commendable object, as if they were given in the evening. It seems to" mc, Sir, thatif what I have stated in the foregoing is true, there i& a strong element of inconsistency in the decision of the authorities. 'What difference from a ''Sunday' point of view, can there possibly be, between entertaining people for siren a pronouncedly worthy object, in the afternoon or evening? I think it is a pity that a laudable attempt to do something practical in order to render valuable and legitimate assistance in such circumstances should be so frustrated, and is much to be regretted.— am, etc., J. S. PALMER. (To the Editor.) Sir,— must surprise many that the Mt.-Eden Borough Council refused to allow the Sunday "Titanic Benefit" « the Empire Theatre. Considering the cause, and the fact that Mr. Hayward is not deducting a cent for expenses, and that all the other local bodies have consented to the performance, the refusal banns the Mt. Eden Council's views as rather narrow.— am, etc., BROADMIXD.