CHARITY BALLS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 24, 29 January 1938, Page 19

CHARITY BALLS.

DECLINE IN LONDON. LONDON. Charity halls, the favourite ladder of the social climber, arc on the decline. Tt has been found that in comparison with the wealth lavished on them, too little money is. going to charity. In one case, at which 500 guests paid £2 each for tickets, only about £100 was left, after all expenses were paid, for the eharitv for which the ball had been organised. Where docs the money go? The professional organisers get a fat fee. first of all. This may range from £250 to £1000. They say they have to move in the right circles and that this coats money. A dance orchestra costs from £30 to £40 a night. Kven then, some of the well-known band leader* assert, these are special terms and barely cover the expenses of each player and fees for the music. The hotel providing the ballroom and staff is guaranteed a certain number of piTwts. Fifty per cent of the ticket money is taken by the hotel management if more than this number attends. An official of one of the leading hospitals said: "We always have refused to allow our hospital's name to be used in connection with oharity balls. I often have been approached by professional organisers who have admitted that they were to receive as much as 40 per cent of the proceeds of the sale of ticket* and donations."'' Whatever the cause, many Mayfair hostesses are refusing to allow thei" names to bo used as patrons of such charity balls. Banquets, film premieres and bridre tournaments are now coming inti society's charity spotlight. It i.s said they are cheaper to organise and that they raise more money.