A GROUNDLESS SCARI.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12571, 14 August 1906, Page 6

A GROUNDLESS SCARI.

Although the success of the Exhibition is a matter which concerns every man and woman iri tho colony, it is surprising to notice how ready some people aro to give credence and publicity to any rumour calculated to injure its prospects. A correspondent complained to a Wellington paper that tho proprietor of a Recond-class hotel in Christchurch wanted to charge him ten guineas a week for a bedroom during the Exhibition. Forthwith wo wero promised that if tbis woio the general attitude .of Christchurch hotelkeepera, Wellington peoplo would "stay away from tho Ex- " hibition in great numbers, and with " a good deal of angry enthusiasm." Thero was a reference to the "piratical "exploitation of tho stranger," which was quite rominiscent of Mr Tregear at his best, and the Exhibition authorities were further charged with "flagrant " optimism" and "Utopian ecstasies." Possibly if the disingenuous correspondent had explained the circumstances under which the quotation of ten guineas was made—that special accommodation was required for a leading actress during Carnival week, the busiest time of the whole year—wo might havo been spared some of this criticism, which is now seen to bo quite beside th© mark. The statements of leading officials of the Licensed Victuallers' Association, and of prominent hotelkeepers, which we have published, go to prove that the incroase of prices during tho busiest times that are expected will bo only of a moderate character, such as no reasonable persons can object to. Tho average hottelkeeper has his share of brains, and ho is not in, the least likely to fix his charges during th© Exhibition) on such a scale as would drive woidd'-h© patrons to the accommodation so freely offering elsewhere in th© city. People who book their rooms early will naturally secure tho pick of the accommodation; available, but those who are not in, a position to do so need bo in no fear that they will have to walk the streets at night for want of a bed, tor that they will be fleeced by* grasping landlords. Had' tho Housing Committee of the Exhibition beeni at less pains to arrange for tho expected influx, th© X latest Wellington scare might have injured the prospecta of the Exhibition, but fortunately it was possible for contradiction to follow so quickly and so explicitly upon the heels of rumour that no harm will have been done