THE SHEFFIELD CHOIR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10196, 4 July 1911, Page 3

THE SHEFFIELD CHOIR.

THE CROWD AT THE DOORS TO THE EDITOR.

Sir.—T must take objection to the report that there was "execrable management" at the doors ol' King Edward Barracks. Everything was done, that was possible in view of dealing with a crowd of ladies and gentlemen. I did not think it necessary to put up barricades and have a policeman for forming queues. I fully expected that the two thousand odd holders of reserved seat tickets would come in gradually, and not all try to force in at eight o'clock. In Auckland, whero we had as many people to handle, not a liit-ch occurred, and wo had only one entrance of less than five feet wide. At the Cashel Street entrance between 600 and 700 people came through in less than five minutes without a hitch. It is a heavy task to have to fit up such a hall for a festival in a town of the size of Christchurch. It entails an enormous amount of work and expenso, but it is harder still, when the citizens, who have it in their power to have a hall if they want one. pick flaws and do not make allowance for unavoidable discomforts. Tonight there wi 1 be barricades, so that only five people can enter at one time, but if the crowd comes again m a heap at 8 p.m. it will be impossible to cope with the rush, no matter what the precautions may be. T have handled larger crowds than last night's, and invariably found that whatever complaints there may be they can be brought home to the public. We shall open the doors at 6.-15 to-night, and I trust that the ticket-holders will assist those in charge to prevent a repetition of last night's occurrence.—l am, etc., HUGO GORLITZ.