THE PUBLIC STANDS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12532, 20 June 1901, Page 4

THE PUBLIC STANDS.

The public must accepi the assurance of the Royal Visit Executive that ihs stands erected for their a/xcmmodatioa in Victoria Square and Hagley Park are quite safe. The Platforms Committee seems to have taken special steps to satisfy itself on this'point, but it has done nothing more than its absolute duty, and it w<as foolish to talk, as Mr Anderson did yesterday, of " pandering to those who rushed into print." We are .very glad, too, to have Mr Cooper's explanation, regarding the sale of tickets for standing room oil the Park stands. It -would be a breach of faith •with those , who have already bought tickets to dispose of more than the number of seats, and/ the committee •would need l a, whole army of ©facials to keep the two divisions separate. As it is, the task of tregulatang the admission: to the stands on a fine day will be difficult enough. We hope that the' impression, which has got abroad that the stands will be overcrowded is net warranted by facts. At the same time, the whole duty of preventing accidents during, tha Royal visit does not rest with the executive. The public themselves axe really the responsible parties. When the committee has seen to the stability of its stands, has taken all necessary precautions against overcrowding, and has seen that reasonable arrangements are ipade to keep the spectators clear of parade grounds, its duty in the matter is practically discharged. It is to the public that we must look for the prevention of street accidents. The man who puts am unreasonable weight en has shop verandah may be morally guilty of manslaughter, but the man who stands under a crowded verandah "is guilty "of an attempt to commit suicide. Now is the proper time to consider the general directions issued by the Government. The police iand volunteers wiß not be numerous enough to guard against all acts of fcfliy, such as crushing against, barricades, interfering with the. processionistSj and discharging crackers in the streets, and sober-minded citizens should constitute themselves special constables, to* help in preserving order. We should 1 like to urge the crowds, also, to have some oon'sidera&m for women and children. Ckastchui'oh crowds have not a reputation for ill-behaviour,- but there are black andi foolish sheep in every flock.