THE ELINGAMITE CONCERT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVIII, Issue 12986, 29 November 1902, Page 7

THE ELINGAMITE CONCERT.

Sir, —I have to apologise to the Rev Laws for attributing to him a statement made by the Rev Ward at the recent Colosseum No-license meeting. I am, however, surprised to find him endorsing the remarks of Canon Averill, who has such a grave objection to the holding of a sacred concert on a Sunday, oven when the object' is such a deserving one as that for which the Canterbury Hall concert was held. If Canon Averill has such a grave objection to what he considers the desecration of the Sabbath, why does he not object to the political No-license meeting which the “Pump-handle” Brigade lioldi last Sunday evening at the Colosseum? At the conclusion of each speech at that function the audience stamped their feet and applauded to the echo. Surely such an exhibition is not in accordance with the oft-expressed views of the straight-laced section of' Anglicans or the , Nonconformist Puritan. In striking contrast was the c-ondluot of the packed . 'audience at the Canterbury Hall, who ' sat through the beautiful programme of sacred music without outwardly demonstrating their applause, although the vast audience afterwards expressed their approval to the promoters of the concert. My own idea is that the clergy will not tolerate any rival “ show,” the effect of whio.b must be to diminish the amount of the collection. But the very large audience at the Canterbury Hall on Sunday evening last proved that the views of the intelligent moderate section of the Christchurch public are not in accord with those of Camon Averill and his No-licen.se friends.—l am, etc., AGRICOLA.