THE SUMMER CARNIVAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 58, 9 March 1923, Page 6

THE SUMMER CARNIVAL.

CITY COTTXCIL'S ATTITUDE. REFUSAL OF CONCESSIONS. A discussion on the subject of the forthcoming Auckland Summer Carnival took place at the City Council last evening. The Mayor (Mr. J. H. Gunaon) explained that sixteen councillors had met informally and resolved very emphatically that the Carnival Committee's application for certain concessions must be declined. Two of the concessions already refused had been pressed by the committee, namely permission to conduct sideshows and a dancing floor on the old dock site, and also to sell art union tickets and official programmes in the streets of the city on certain days to be iixed by the council.

"They still admit this fund is controlled by them, that it is the Advertising Club fund, and that they are responsible to no one for the fund," commented the Mayor. ''That is the point I have emphasised over and over again," he added. The Mayor further stated tlhat in the letter from the Carnival Committee no new point had been raised. Personally he had been subjected to severe bombardment in connection with the matter. It was open to the council to decide the points now raised.

Mr. J. Robertson moved that the formal decision of the informal meeting be adhered to.

Mr. G. R. Hutehinson seconded. "I still have the opinions which 1 have already expressed," he said. "It would create an atmosphere not for the permanent benefit or advantage of Auckland, and for that reason I do not think we should sanction these two ipointe."

Following a remark by Mr. J. A. C. Allum that there was nothing new in the proposals, the Mayor said it was a ques-' tion of control of the fund and raising money in the name of Auckland without due authority. The citizens looked to the City Council for a lead.

Mr. Allum said the Carnival Committee was simply asking what had been given to many other people. "We should leave alone the point whether the affair is desirable or not," he added.

Mr. M. J. Savage, M.P.. said that the Parks Committee had wished the Carnival success, but in granting the use of the Domain they were acting only within their sphere. But it was questionable whether outsiders would understand that. He questioned whether the Carnival Committee were not justified in thinking they were on safe ground and had the assistance of the council. At the same time he admitted that some of the proposals were not wihat he considered the best way of bringing prosperity to the city. He moved that the two requests be granted. Mr. M. J. Bennett seconded. Mr. E. Davis moved that the council go into committee, and this being -carried by a majority, the council remained in camera for half an hour. On resuming, it was decided to approve the committee's finding that the requests be declined, "the council being of opinion that the movement lacks due authority, and that the means taken are not in the best interests of the city." IMr. Tom Bloodworth disagreed on the ground that the correspondence between the council and the promoters was of such a character as to justify the 'promoters in believing they had to a certain'extent the support of the council.

There was no reflection made or'intended on the integrity of those connected with the carnival.