WOMAN’S DRESS BILL

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 287, 9 May 1929, Page 2

WOMAN’S DRESS BILL

£3OO IN A FORTNIGHT. j “This lavish dressing recalls the days of the French Revolution and j sets a gcod many humble people ivon- I dering in these days, when there are | so many hard-up and unemployed,” i declared Judge Sir Alfred Tobin, in the course of the hearing of a recent case at the Westminster County ' Court. When an application was made for a committal order against Miss Iris Harrold respecting £3OO, due to a firm for dresses, the judge expressed surprise that she should have ben allowed to run up the account in about a fortnight. A witness for the firm exp’ained that Miss Harrold’s method of 1 ving at expensive hotels in the West End suggested that she was able to pay. The judge: I am th'nking rather of the methods of the firm. (To Miss

Harrold): Have you any money of your own ? Miss Harrqld: No. ' '"EF The judge: I cannot make an order against a young woman merely in the hope that someone will pay. Miss Harrold: 'fevery time I went there I was asked to buy more. The Judge: Had you been a customer?—No, I opened an account with £SO. I think' I bought the first dress three months before. Sir Alfred called attention to a list of 12 dresses, at prices ranging from £ls to £4O each, and a hat at £l3, which, he stated, appeared to have been supplied on credit in about a fortnight in July. “I think it is perfectly disgraceful on both sides,” commended Sir Alfred. For the firm it was stated that Miss Harrold had offered £lO a month. Miss Harrold explained that she was seeking employment at a film studio. She could always borrow £lO when she wanted it.

The judge: The case is adjourned indefinitely.