WHY THIS UNSEEMLY RUSH?

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1166, 17 June 1911, Page 7

WHY THIS UNSEEMLY RUSH?

Sir,—Tho attendants nt public performances and meetings in this city is fraught with very much danger aud certainly with much inconvenience- which might easily bo avoided, To give an example of the danger: Recently, I took my two boys to a performance at the Opera House. I got there early, before tho doors opened. The crush in front of that building was most unseemly, young girh and ladies were subject to much annoyance as tho crowd increased. Eventually tho doors wero opened. Then commenced a sceno which I shall not soon forgot. Children and ladies commenced to scream. I was. afraid that my boy 3 would bo injured by'being crushed against the piers at the side, of the doors.' After a severe straggle w& got' into the passage, but ■the same thing occurred at. the ticket .windows. I waited until some of the ■rush was over before attempting t'o get near that small window. . Presently' I heard people coining- downstairs saying .there was not standing, room. I took my boys iorao feeling: Mint the: Opera, "Housa was a good plnco to .'be out of. ' Now, sir, 1 contend that this can and to bo. .'avoided. I would suggest ithat the City Council pass a by-law compelling- all /owner.? ;.of public buildings to ■number every scat in. the building. The management could then sell the tickets as early as they wished; every seat to be (reserved _ until, say, .five or ten minutes before tima for commencing.. By this means tho; poor porspns paving . their shilling- could reserve their "aeat3, the .same as the person paying their two, il'hree, or five shillings, for I find there is no such unseemly rush in the dre'scircle or higher-priced scats. I would also suggest that it be mndo unlawful to sell ■any tickets beyond tho actual seating ae.coamodation of the building, thus aspirins everyone who purchased a ticket that a Beat would be provided. By rescrvin" ■the seats until a few minutes before the commencement it would enable tho management to fill any vacant seats. This •jeheme would enable tho management to ..know that their audience was secured provided the tickets were sold. It would .also avoid that dangerous practice of allowing people to stand nt the back of the hall as at present who would be a menace to seat-holders in case of panic. I notice, hat the City Council are talking «• wast ef such a by-law.-lam, etc, JUSTICE TO.roOR CITIZBNs! R»jeneath.