A 1..k.a tER FROM BRISTOL.
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—The most notable work Bristol has engaged upon for many years was the building of a riverside road from the city ' to Avonmouth, named Portway, which has the reputation of being the most costly in the world for its length. Accord- ing to official information the cost was £882,866, a-considerable portion of which, however, was borne by the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Health. It is indeed a noble building achievement, with towering cliffs on one side and the winding Avon and hanging woods of Leigh on the other. At one point a series of hard tennis courts are being laid down and nowhere will those who engage in the gaine play in a more romantic environment.
From the industrial point of view, Bristol has not felt the pinch quite so badly as some other large towns. This is explained by the great variety of employment in Which the workers engage and the fact that the greatest tobacco business in the world has its headquarters here. Still, times have been serious enough and unemployment a ;pressing question, but the outlook, at the time of writing, is brighter than it ho been for some years.
The social life of Bristol would probably strike the visitor as lacking the enterprise and freedom of many other big places. Thecity hotels, for instanee2,11ave not yet realized the possi bilities of regular music and dance features. Perhaps they are content with their present business, but it seems a Off none the less. For sonic time past there have been rumour; of a new and -absolutely first-class hotel--there is a pretty general view that one is needed: There was, by the by, a" interesting innovation at the Mansion House during the past winter. The Lord Mayor, who is a Conservative in politics, has very democratic notions of hospitality, and he ran very successfully a scheme of " social evenings" at his official residence, inviting grOups of citizens each representing sons phase in the life of the community. Rotary has entered very substantially into the life and scud of Bristol. To it Bristol owes its Little Theatre with its permanent repertoire company—a firmly established and now financially_ prosperous institution.—I am, Sir, &c.,
. YOUR BRISTOL CORRESPONDF-NT.
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