CORRESPONDENCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11784, 23 August 1916, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE OTHER SIDE. TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—l think most habitues (like riy.se!f) of what was referred to by " Victims" as "the fashionable lea rooms " on your issue of Saturday will disagree; wi'h their assertion of discourtesy on the part of the employees of thc.lo extremely well managed and comfortable tea rooms. My oxperipneo is quite different to "Victims'," lor my wife and I went to a window on Wednesday to see the Sixteenth Reinforcements pass, and on taking our seats no wore told in the most courteous manner (hat "the window .-.eats w«-re Is Of] extra." What could be more reasonable than that those desirous of seeing th- troops in comfort should pay something for the privilege of doing so, and that in the best plalc for viewing the parade in town? While silting at our table, which we had lor fully half an hour, \vc heard many patrons told by tho manageress and several waitresses that " there was an extra charge of Is 0:1 for the window seats." And this was told them, in the most civil, nnd, indeed, pleasaut manner, not at all " in a peremptory and uncivil way," as experienced (?) by " Victims." May I suggest that possibly tho customers were not very polite and considerate to the employees, which is not infrequently the case, a< we all know, hence perhaps a little brusqucness in retaliation on the part of the employee. Not in a single instanco did I hear exception taken to the extra charge, but I heard several remark, " What a cheap and comfortable grand stand." f have visited many tea rooms in New Zealand, Australia and Europe, and have no hesitation in saying, and have heard many say the same, that it would bo difficult to find more comfortable, bettor equipped and better managed rooms at similar charges. My family and I have been frequenters of this well managed tea rooms for many years, and have always received civility and courtesy and attention from all. and I feel that such has been the experience of 05 per cent of their patrons. As to whether " the extra charge was made on behalf of any of our war charities," I think the probability is that a portion, if not the whole, vras devoted to some good cause; at all events, I know that few people have been more generous towards the Red Cross shops.—l am, etc., H.B.C.