JAZZ DANCE SCANDAL

Hokitika Guardian, 3 August 1929, Page 5

JAZZ DANCE SCANDAL

EXTRAORDINARY DISCLOSURES (By Telegraph—Press Association). WELLINGTON, Aug. 2.'At to-day meeting of the Mayor’s Earthquake Fund Committee, the Mayor presented a list of those entertainments which had been £iven in aid of the Eaithquake Relief Fund, most of which had, at his request furnished a balance sheet. The Mayor gave particulars of the balance sheet of each entertainment, and said there was only one case where the balance slJeet was not satisfactory, that was the case of a Jazz given at the Town Hall (which was given free for the purpose). In mat case the result had been a donation of £4O 3s 6d, of which the receipts were £125 14s 2d, £95 9s 5d of which was taken at the door. For this dance seventeen musicians at £1 10s each had oeen employed acoording to the balance sheet, and £93 odd had been retained to meet claims for lost coats, and hats, and the organiser had put in £lO 10s for his services. There was £5 drawn for the services of those looking after the cloak room, and other charges, but there was £125 14s 2d taken. He had tne people responsible “on the mat” and had given them a hot quarter of an hour, but further than telling them what he thought of them he was unable to do anything.

Members of the Committee expressed themselves as surprised and disgusted that some should use such an object to make money.

DETRIMENTAL PHOTOGRAPHS At the meeting of the Mayor’s Earthquake Relief Fund Committee, Mr W. S. Wilson remarked on the continued appearance of earthquake photographs in the illustrated papers. “These go to all parts of the world” said Mr Wilson, “and it is no wonder that there are distorted views of the calamity in uie .newspapers abroad. I think those photographs are most damaging to the afflicted districts, and I was wondering if a word from you, Sir, might not have a giod effect in stopping the practice of it.” “I’m afraid” said the Mayor (Mr G. A. Troup), smiling “that it would take more than the Mayor to control the press. As long as there is any interest in the earthquake area, they will publish photographs. You can’t prevent that sort of thing.” .