THE SEATING RINK.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIC, Issue 13395, 19 September 1907, Page 7

THE SEATING RINK.

(To the Editor of tho ''Timaru Herald.") Sir, —I would like to make complaintregarding the manner in which the skating rink is comlucted by the members of the Garrison Band. Although the season for this sport is now Hearing its end, there being only about, a month to go, still I think there is time for reform. The sooner the members of the Garrison Band wake up and ask themselves the reason why the attendance at the rink is diminishing nightly with such drastic rapidity, the better it will be for all concerned. This is not. a very enigmatical problem to '.olvv. T myself have attended the rink

almost every night it has been open th.:; .-•eason, and in con versing with some of the most prominent- skaters 1 tind that their reasons for the diminishing attendance coincide. To sfart with, decent skates would be a big acquisition, as the ones now distributed to the public are ii.it fit for uue. The wheels on the majority of them are in a worn and wobbly condition, and therefore a menace to those 'asing them. The skating area too is getieially in Mich a slippery condition for the want of a little powder that it- is diflicult to skate with any degree of safety. I will readily admit that the floor for the first night or two was kept in good condition, but- the only time* it sees powder now, is when the floor -stewards want- to try their agility to skate, like l>o Boen, on the front wheels only. Then they readily see that the tioor is too glossy for their purpose, and the powder tin is brought into play. I think that these statements will be welcomed and verilied by loveivs of the sport, and those to whom I have mentioned tho subject arc quite unanimous in declaring that the rapid decrease in the attendance is sijlely due to the bad management as above depicted. If the members of the Band desire to fester roller skating in Timaru they will have to alter considerably their modus operandi. I would advise sending one of their floor attendants up to .either Christcliurch or Ashburton to attend the rink there and to ascertain how to cater successfully for the public and whilst there (if lie is assiduous enough) lie may be able to learn to skate Be linen style. He may also notice that the floor stewards there, are civil and obliging when asked to do anything in the way of putting on skates, and that they are not constantly running after skaters going at a fast pace so long as they impede the progress of, or interfere with none. I hope that these re-marks will take effect upon those for whom they are meant-. —I am, etc., SUPPORTER.