EXPENSIVE TOILETS

Taranaki Daily News, 10 June 1922, Page 5

EXPENSIVE TOILETS

HAIRCUT COSTING POUNDS. POLICE RAID SYDNEY SHOP. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received June 9, 7.5 pm. Sydney, June 9. Prior to the war, a haircut in Sydney cost threepence, the regular charge. Nowadays it is eighteen-pence, but up to yesterday, anyone so desiring, by adding a shampoo, face massage and other attentions, could run up a bill, at at least one establishment, of pounds. Acting upon complaints of exorbitant charges, particularly from country people, four Melbourne detectives, over for exchange duty, visited a barber’s shop, had a “crop,” for which they were charged variously from 16s to 17s 3d. This they declined to pay. While the dispute was in progress, police motor-cars caine along and bore the barber and four of his assistants, together with a collection of bottles, electric batteries, and other exhibits, to the police station, where they were remanded on heavy bail on a charge of allegedly conspiring to defraud various persons. The Police Prosecutor said there was evidence of people having been charged at this particular shop from £2 to £3 for an ordinary haircut, and if a face massage, shampoo, or other incidentals were added, £6 to £7 was often charged. Meantime the police had seized bottles and batteries, which will undergo expert examination.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.