TRAFFIC IN MISFORTUNE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 732, 3 August 1929, Page 6

TRAFFIC IN MISFORTUNE

EXPENSES AT ’QUAKE RELIEF DANCE MAYOR’S POINTED COMMENT Press Association WELLINGTON, Friday. A list of those entertainments which had been given in aid of the earthquake relief fund, presented by the Mayor of Wellington, Mr. G. A. Troup, at today’s meeting of the Mayor’s earthquake fund committee, revealed one instance of “private enterprise.” Most of the organisers/ of entertainments had, at his request, furnished a balance-sheet. The Mayor gave particulars of the balance-sheets of each entertainment and said there was onlj T one case where the balance-sheet was not satisfactory. That was the case of a jazz given at the Town Hail, which was given free for the purpose. In that case the result had been a donation of £4O 3s 6d, while the receipts were £125 14s 2d, £9* 9s 5d of which was taken at the door. For this dance, said the Mayor, 17 musicians, at £1 10s each, had been employed, according to the balancesheets; £l3 odd had been retained to meet claims for lost coats and hats, and the organiser had put in for £lO 10s for his services. There was £5 drawn for the services of those looking after the cloakroom and other charges, but there was £4O 3s 6d for the fund out of the £125 14s 2d taken. Mr. Troup said he had the 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 people should use such an object to make money.