THE REUNION OF OLD COLONISTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13872, 5 October 1908, Page 8

THE REUNION OF OLD COLONISTS.

Sir,—lii view of the Annual voiuiion. of old colonists, to bo hold next; Saturday, will you permit mo to suggest to tlx? committco that they might endeavour to arrange a more satisfactory method of admission to the meeting in tho Choral Hall? The committeo, very properly, give precedence to the oldest old colonists, and this' is indicated by tho issue of red tickets, entitling thorn to ho admitted—together with their escorts by a specified _ door or doors. White tickets are supplied to tho , younger old colonists, of whom I am, at. present, one, entitling them to admission by another or other specified door or doors. _ This seems all right on its face, but how it has worked out for the last few years is that the unfortunate whites havo "found all doors closed against them for more than an hour — times during very disagreeable weather — ■while their ears have been tantalised by tho sounds of reudry and existing within. On admission being granted at- length, by apparently very reluctant janitors, they observe, not only that tho venerable ancients have been cared for by tho stewards, both ladies and gentlemen, in a manner worthy of all praise, but- that a perfect multitude of youthful, buxom, lusty, and hungry escorts" havo also been regaled to their hearts' content, and their stomachs' satisfaction, while tho whites, like the Peri at tho gate of Paradise, have been waiting outside, unable even to, gain a seat, and wait patiently for their turn to he served with refreshments. The number of "escorts" seemingly allowed to each ; holder of a rod ticket appears to be out of all proportion to individual requirements, and is calculated to raise a suspicion that iii their devotion to their ancient relatives or friends, there is a substantial alloy of pride of place and a desiro for a first "cut in" at the refreshments,. under more comfort-able circumstances than is possible for the poor whites. As, I presume, tho issue of tickets is limited to the seating accommodation of the Choral Hall, I can see no reason why, after a sufficient number of scats have been reserved for those whoso age entitles them to preference, the rest, of tho ticket-boiders should not hp allowed to enter the hall, instead of bethg compelled to wait wearily outside Tor more than an hour. I think with a little more enterprise and management, the committee might contrive to have all served -with refreshments at about the same , time- If, however, this should be impossible, I .am quite sure white ticketholders would contentedly wait, if only some reasonable- attempt were made to accommodate them with seats in the meantime. • White Ticket.