THE BY-LAW FEVER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10035, 23 December 1910, Page 2

THE BY-LAW FEVER.

TO THE EDITOR, Sir,—By-laws raado for playgoers by gentlemen who seldom frequent places of amusement, save on the "nod," are often too theoretically sound, to be comfortably workable. New York, Chicago and Timbuctoo have many customs, theatrical and otherwise, which are more locally suitable than internationally adoptive. For an instance of admirable intention and weak construction let us look at the regulation which enforces the sale of tickets for the space of at least eight hours before thy commencement of the performance. -The interpretation of the sentence may eventually be decided by the Appeal Court, unless Mr Asqulth acts with unusual promptitude. If the obliging firm of tobacconists, who gratuitously oblige J.C.W. and Co., sold me a ticket seven hours before the rising of the Theatre lloyal curtain to whom would his worship look for redress? Does not our careful chief magistvato know that J.C.W. and Co. provide the gallery patrons with numbered tickets, which, entitle their holders to claim correspondingly numbered seats? If his worship will buy a gallery ticket, say, for Now Year's' Night, and come in at, say, five minutes to eight with the firm and courteous intention of seeing all persons seated, according to the by-law T feel sure that he will be enthusiastically received. Although those who seek ovening relaxation look for fair value for their money thoy are willing to patronise liberally really good entertainers. They do not, however, desire that the City Council's assistance shall degenerate into officiousness or undue interference, which will possibly result in a higher scale of theatrical charges, to pay which the Council may be slow to vote a contribution. If the authorities will for the present only add to the safety regulations a proviso that an usher shall be in attendance, when more than, say, n dozen patrons have assembled at a door of any theatre, to guido the people into queue formation, and prevent late-comers treading on the "early worms," other little grievances will soon bo righted.-—I am, etc., CHARLEY'S AUNT.