POPULAR AMUSEMENTS ASSOCIATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3570, 27 June 1872, Page 3

POPULAR AMUSEMENTS ASSOCIATION.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE liVTTEETON TIMES,

Sib, —Will you kindly insert the accompanying letters, whi»h will serve to show the real position taken up by those who have objected to the recent comic songs in character, It ought also to be known that the Dean withdrew from the meeting of the committee before the second motion was “ passed unanimously,” approving of the songs in question. Your obedient servant, CHARLES FRASER. June 26,1872. Christchurch, June 19,1872. To the Committee of the Popular Amusement and Entertainment > Association. ) Gentlemen, —As one who has always taken a lively interest, and borne some share, in the promotion of the objects of your association, and as being still, I believe, a member of your body, may I venture to take the liberty of addressing you on a subject which has a most important bearing upon the character of the association, and the nature of the influence it is exercising upon the public taste ? The association, I have always understood, while desirous of promoting rational recreation, has been anxious to avoid the obvious danger of lowering the standard of public opinion and feeling, both intellectually and morally. It has made, many laudable endeavours to raise the tone in both i respects. When, however, we find, in » report of the entertainment given yesterday evening' at t he Oddfellows’ Hall (I allude to the report in the Press of this day) a protest against the character of the comic songs which formed part of the entertainment, on the ground of their tendency to bring about this very evil—the lowering of the public taste, one cannot but feel that the time is come when some definite steps should be taken by the committee to guard against this danger. The magnitude of the evil is manifestly much increased by the fact that the entertainments are promoted and sanctioned by gentlemen of the highest standing and influence in our community. The particular entertainment which appears to have been disfigured by the vulgarisms complained ot may be said to have been specially under the patronage of his Worship the Mayor, the clergy, and the College. May I venture to suggest the expediency ot appointing a small sub-committee to whom all proposed readings, recitations, and songs should be submitted for approval. I hope 1 shall not be considered guilty ° f m unwarrantable interference with the work ot the committee, and that they will at least consider the subject worthy of their serious consideration.

I remain, gswtlemen, Very faitMullryouw, Hewk* Jacob#. The Manse, 26th Jnne, 1872. Dear Sir, —I regret that an engagement at Kaiapoi prevent* me from attending the meeting to-day. I sincerely hone font the Iffr co*” IC eon a style will be diseeatiaued. The gSgfc fUnlnurnose dfl'he association was not to wowc yffiWh 'fe Efi'e casino anti penny theatrerank STeStertkinmehty. bill to 6iend sometiunE3L oaco ond'inatructive. with naobThe highly successful efforts of. Messrs Woledge and Ynill prove that there majrjg

j abundant merriment without a tinge of vulj Rarity or profanity; amt they also showtliat there is no wifcu to repress mirth on the part of those who Object to some recent performances. At the same time, I protest against the idea that to raise a laugh is tho only teat of success in our entertainments. The hearty reception accorded to readings and recitations of a very different class, gives evidence of the existence of a much higher taste on the part of the Christchurch audiences. I hope the occasion that has arisen will be taken advantage ot to make if known Chat the committee is unanimous in i Approval or tho introduction ot anytuing -coarse or offensive to religious toolingiT at the entertainments given under its sanction. 1 ' I’hkWe lity tins letter before llio comrttltloiS. I remain, Yours very truly, Charles Fraser. Mr George Gordon, Hon. Sec. Popular Amusement and Entertainment Association.