LICENSED PUBLIC BUILDING EXITS.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13159, 4 July 1908, Page 10

LICENSED PUBLIC BUILDING EXITS.

TO THE EDITOR Oi , "THE FKEBS. Sir.. —May I ask why some of the exit doors of His Majesty's Theatre wero ciosed and bolted during the Christchurch Orchestra Society's concert on Thursday night last? Tho pit outer door was closed and bolted before 7.30 p.m., and remained so until the interval, and the doors leading from the dress circle to the staircase (with the exception of one half of tho two centre doorways) were bolted up to the close of the performance. I looked in vain for an inspector to draw his attention to the fact, thinking that probably other exit doors were also bolu?d. If this is allowed, it is 6imply courting disaster in the event of a panic with such a crowd in the building as there was on the above occasion. Surely we have had sufficient lessons to impress upon those in authority the necessity of having all exit doors kept unbolted during the time these buildings are occupied by the public.—Yours, etc., PRO BONO PUBLIOO.

"LESX»WE FORGET." TO THE EDITOR OF "THE PBESS."

Sir,—The Bishop of Christchurch, in calling attention to the spirit of boastfulness so prevalent in this country, seems to have given offence to some who really should be thankful that this fault in our people has been pointed out by one who lias strong convictions and, unliko many of our politicians, is not afraid to express them. What are our bishops and clergy for if not to check the growing tendency of our own people in tho direction of boastfulness and all other evils? We have been taught that righteousness exalteth a nation, and if the tendency of our clergy is not in this direction they can well be done without. lam ono of those who think that if all the clergy of the different denominations were to follow tho example in this matter set by our Bishop, wo should ono and all derive considerable benefit therefrom. There can bo no doubt that Now Zealand is a grand littlo country, with a magnificent climate, and we residents should thankfully acknowledge the fact that our lot has been cast in so plensant a country. But we are apt tr forget that we neither made the country nor the climate. This country has been truly described by the poet Bracken as "God's own country," and it might be better if wo, the favoured inhabitants thereof, cultivated a spirit of thankfulness instead of a spirit of boastfulness, and in our admittedly good surroundings not exalt the croatiirn too mnch and forget the Creator. -Yours, etc. THANKFUL .