CRUDE SIDE SHOWS

Hokitika Guardian, 16 August 1933, Page 8

CRUDE SIDE SHOWS

A LIVELY DESCRIPTION

COUNCIL DISCUSSION

CHRISTCHURCH, August 15.

Strong complaint against certain side-shows in the annexe •at the Winter Show was expressed by several councillors at the meeting last night of the City Council, and a special investigation of the complaint is to be made this morning. The discussion was introduced by Or. T. Andrews. He said that his attention had been called to some side-show displays in the annexe at the Winter Show. He wanted to know by whom permission for such side-shows was granted • Cr. J. Iv. Archer (chairman of the by-laws committee): Permission was granted by the ccmmittteeWe were told that what would be going on would he a considerable improvement on former years. Cr. T. Andrews: Well, I saw the sidc-show.4 concerned in the complaint and I do not think it was a fair thing to see such a disgraceful exhibition.

Cr. M. E. Lyons: I move that we go' into .committtee. The (Mayor: Reflections have been made on the show of a representative organisation and on the byla\ys committee, and I think an opportunity for a reply in open meeting is (Ysentiai, although I would rather have seen the whole question discussed in committee.

CY-LAWS COMMITTEE’S DECISION

Cr. Archer: First the by-laws' committee refused to grant permission for an annexe. It objected to the side-shows. .Lated a representative deputation waited on the .committee and stated that there would not bo any display which would be undesirable..

Cr. Butterfield: These people had less on than our women runners or swimmers. The whole show was undesirable, ' without doubt. The police were present, but he could not'say what their report on the side-show contained.

Cr. Mabel Howard: The first thing I saw was this exhibition of naked women, and I do not .think I am much of a prude. It entertainment of a crude type. I would not take ■ any child, again where there was, such ,an exhibition. It was simply d : .sgusting.

The, Mayor: 1 think if I had known more of this problem I would have recommended that it be taken in committee. 1 -think that once we have given a permit for the annexe therewith© matter ends for us. The matter i 6 for the police after that.-

COMPLAINTS RECEIVED

Cr. M. E. Lyons: The elder school children of Christchurch—l2 to 16 yfjars, of ; age—in thousands have visited "the show, and the displays mentioned to-night have causeu authorities in charge of those _ children great concern. I have had strong representations that the exhibitions were undesirable. In other shows I have known there has been no compunction about closing down an undesirable side-show immediately. I regret that I have not had an opportunity of taking part in the administration in this instance. A motion that the matter should be left in the hands of the Mayor and the chairman of the by-laws committee was carried.