OPERA HOUSE BOOKINGS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 286, 6 November 1925, Page 10

OPERA HOUSE BOOKINGS.

(To tho Editor.) Sir, — I have just had my attention drawn to the correspondence about the Opera House booking, and would be glad if you would allow me a few words on this matter. I might mention that about three years ago I had Occasion to write to you about tho same thing and suggested that the booking office be moved, but I understand that my letter was a little “too hot” and it was never published. On that occasion I went eighteen miles in to Palmerston and was at the booking office about 6.45 a.m., and after waiting considerably over two hours in the queue, had to return without the tickets. As near as I remember there were about twenty in front of me in the queue and only about three parts of those in front of me were lucky enough to secure seats. The first three or four had booked hundreds of seats between them. Is this fair play, especially to those who live so far out and arrive early to take their place in the queue reasonably expecting to at least secure a seat of some sort ? I certainly think that no person should be allowed to book more than six scats. .1, like Mr Mansford, think it would bo very interesting to know how many of Mr Oates’ country clients live in Palmerston North. I have been a country client for a few years and have been in to book seats for a fair number of plays, but the only benefit I have received from this system of booking is generally very poor seats, or none at all, and I know of several other country clients who are in the same position. Mr Oates states in his letter that the chairman of the Opera House Committee was present at a recent booking and was satisfied that tho booking was carried out fairly. It) the booking office cannot bo moved an official should be present at all bookings. Mr Oates says “that anyone with a sense of justice will realise that it is impossible to please everybody.” Judging by my own and numerous other country clients’ experiences re booking seats, I think Mr Oates does not apply his sense of justice to his booking system. In conclusion I wish t state that I have no complaints whatever with Mr Oates’ staff, but as I stated three years ago, and still maintain, the booking office should certainly bo moved and a great deal of the trouble would be over.—l am, etc., COUNTRY CLIENT.