THE PENNY READINGS.

Southland Times, Issue 973, 22 June 1868, Page 2

THE PENNY READINGS.

> (TO THB EDITOB OF THS SOtTTHUiiro TliOMk) Sib,—l am glad to observe that the members of the committee of the Penny Headings Society hay?, after doing everything which was possible to be done to obtain the use of a hall for their meetings to which the most fastidious" could not object, decided to waive all scruples and continue their entertainments in the Theatre, rather than allow a movement so favorably started to come to a sudden standstill. This is just as it Bhould be, atid I am sure the committee must now feel that they have, under the circumstances, done wisely and well in availing .themselves of Mr Jones', most liberal offer. lam informed he gives them the use of the Theatre, lights, and piano, for a mere nominal sum. The very numerous and respectable audience which patronised the Readings on Friday night last may be accepted by the committee as a cordial endorsement of their action on the part of the public, and must encourage them to continued exertion. No doubt there are, and always will be in all communities, some individuals who feel, or affect, a pious horror at all buildings dedicated, as they are pleased to say, to the service of hia satanic majesty, and who, probably conscious of said majesty's claims upon them, would scarcely trust themselves, or feel safe, within the walls of a theatre. Fortunately such contemptible superstition is confined to a very contemptible minority, the great mass of the people, I believe, regarding the fabrication of weatherboards and scantling simply as a building, in which they may with equal propriety either witness a tragedy, listen to a song, or hear a sermon, as occasion may arise. For these reasons, Sir, I believe the Penny Headings will receive as much popular support in the Theatre as anywhere else, so long as the entertainments are, in themselves, deserving of it. There are other reasons, however, which should have weight with the management, and urge them to keep the procuring of a suitable hall as an object in view. It is clear they can't have the Theatre when it is required for its legitimate purpose, and it is also equally clear that the Society should have some progressive and expansive aim to keep it healthy, active, and reactive. I think, Sir, the committee should at once assume a high position, regard the Society as the modest beginning to a great end, the neucleus of an Atheneum. There can be no doubt that a large hall of some sort will rery soon be built in Invercargill, its want is imperatively felt, and recent letters in your columns evince that the public are willing to subscribe for the purpose. I would therefore suggest to the Penny Eeadings Committee, that they plainly announce to the public that the surplus proceeds of their entertainments be lodged to a trust account, and allowed to accumulate until a hall is built, when it would be expended in the purchase of a library or piano, or both, if sufficient. Let the committee adopt some such ticket as this, and no doubt the public will respond liberally. A quarterly statement of the Society's finances, duly audited by a professional accountant, or by some of our merchants, and published in the local journals, would be a sufficient guarantee to the public that the funds contributed were not being squandered. ... /■■;-■ ' ■'■ ■' " ' ' . Apologising for intruding so lengthily on your space —l am, Sir, your, Ac, Commonwealth.