SOCIAL PROBLEMS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 9646, 11 February 1892, Page 3

SOCIAL PROBLEMS.

TO THE EDITOE. Sik,— With feelings of unmixed satisfaction do I hail the advent of " Father’s ” letter of yesterday. In point of fact, it is simply infamous and disgraceful to our beautiful city that such larrikin license and non-control should exist and flourish. I know of ladies being compelled to refrain from visiting our lovely park and gardens owing to the hoodlum element displayed there on Sundays. Same on our bridges; same on Saturday and Sabbath evenings in our streets and the corners thereof. I say, “Shame on you, Christchurch boys! Tour patents never inculcated this conduct.” “ Father ” refers to the back slums of London and Melbourne, and contrasts these cities with Christchurch, to the utter condemnation of the latter city. “’Tis true, ’tis pity, and pity ’tis ’tis true.” I have visited Hobart, Sydney and Newcastle, yet never had occasion to condemn the lads. Lads ! do not besmear our city by your bad conduct. It is bad form, remember. The combination of our esteemed Eesident Magistrate (Mr Beetham), assisted by our equally esteemed Inspector might enforce a necessary and required salutary lesson.—l am, &c., MICHAEL HAET.