ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Southland Times, Issue 1182, 25 June 1869, Page 2

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

WE DO HOT tDKNTIPr OUB3BLVE9 IN ANT WAY WITH THE OPINIONS EXPBES3ED BT OTTB COBBESPONDENTB. |

(TO THE EDITOB OF THB SOUTHLAND TI3TE9.) Sib — If [ am any judge of style, I can detect in " Alto" a considerable contributor to the press columns, and if I am correct in my surmise, his circle is so circumscribed that the Committee of the Popular Entertainments need not fear having offended many supporters by a change in the place of meeting. I am only an outsider, but I have taken some pains to ascertain the reasons why the Committee made the alteration, and I find that the old series having (all credit to them) devoted some £20 odd to charitable purposes, the hospital getting a fair share, some how got into a financial - " muddle," and the new Committee have saddled themselves with it, and are forced to studynotonly retrenchment, and obtain all the supporfcthey can, before they can expect to have any surplus for benevolent purposes, but they are compelled to bow to public verdict," and though one and all, I believe, were supporters personally> of the central position of the Hall> had facts brought under their notice regarding the desire of the majority of the townspeople, and financial reasons, which compelled them to act as best for the public. The weather alone did not cause the last entertainment to show a deficit ; the many objected to the one mode of ingress and egress, the echo in the building (which could no doubt be remedied), but still further objections arose from the weaker sex, and those of maturer age, being doomed to the annoying propinquity of the too highly demonstrative juveniles. — I am, &c, Scrutator. Invereargill, 24th June, 1369.

(TO THB "EDITOB OP THE SOTTTHLAND TIME 3.) Sib — It appears by the notice published of the next meeting of the Popular Readings, that the committee have removed the locale to the Theatre under cover of the wish of the public. Why the wiseacres composing the committee have taken upon themselves to know the wish of the public — unless they desire to emulate the three tailors of Tooley-street, " We, the People of England, &c.,"— is a mystery to any one but themselves. They certainly have not studied the convenience of the ladies who have assisted at these entertainments ; the access to and egress from the stage of the Theatre being anything but agreeable and refined. It appears to me that it would be advisable to institute another series of entertainments to beheld at the legitimate room for this class of entertainment, and I do not think it would be difficult to secure competent readers or the services of ladies and gentlemen of musical abilities, inasmuch as the latter appear a limited number who assist at present in carrying out the ww-popular committees' proceedings, being as two musical friends of mine observed to consist of John and I to night, and I and John of next Friday night. I may remark, in justice to the proprietor of the Exchange Hall, that I am unconnected with him or it in any respect, and have not considered his interest at all, but simply the comfort, convenience and evident suitability of the Exchange Hall for the purposes of these entertainments — I am, &c, Readeb. Invercargill, June 24th, 1869.

(to thb editob of thb sottthxahd times.) Sib, — I understand that it is the intention of the Datrons of the Ragged or Free School of this town to give a concert in aid of the funds of the institution. It is the duty of all good citizens and active Christians to support every well directed effort towards the amelioration of the species, and to encourage the ' benovelent in the prosecution of their labours of charity and love. But indiscrimimate charity, either in the distribution of the necessaries of life or in the gratuitous instruction of the young, instead of benefiting, has a most injurious effect on its recipients. Before giving our substance, either towards the relief of the necessitous, or the support of a so-called charitable institution, it is requisite to inquire whether the objects really and truly belong to the class for which the charity is designed. "For example, the professed object of the Free School is to give instruction to the children of parents who are unable to pay the fee at an ordinary school, and who would otherwise be allowed to grow up " Arabs of the street." It may be asked are the parents of the children attending the Free School in a state of destitution ? Are children there whose parents purchased a section with a house on it, and where they now reside ? And are children there whose parents are well employed, and who, instead of spending their earnings on education, squander them in procuring the means of debasing and sensual indulgence ? If these can be answered in the affirmative, it is obvious that the institution is doing more harm than good. It is encouraging vice in one form or another, and instead of fostering a spirit of independence, it is pauperising and demobilising those whom it professes to benefit. But if, as I sincerely hope, these questions can be answered in the negative, and if it is found that no children are in attendance but those who are orphans, or whose parents are in destitution, then the Free School is deserving of all private and public support. But until the committee deign to supply the information necessary to arrive at a correct judgment, it cannot be expected that the public will respond to any appe.il, however earnest, and however high and honorable thepoaition of those under whose patron;t && it is announced. I offer these remarks in no narrow unfriendly spirit. But the report is rife that the names of children are on the roll of the Free School who are not in any sense objects of charity, and it is but justice that the

attention of the committee should be drawn to the subject so that if the rumours are unfounded they maj be publicly contradicted. — I am, &c. One of the Public. Invercargill, June 27th, 1869.