"HARD-UP" BALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 179, 1 August 1939, Page 8

"HARD-UP" BALL.

ALLEGATIONS MADE. INFORMAL DISCUSSION. CONCERN OF COUNCILLORS. Allegations made concerning the conduct of the recent "Ilard-Up' , Bull at the Auckland Town Hall have been the ttihjeot of keen, although informal, dis-

eussion among city councillors. It is regarded as certain that the matter will be raised in some form at the council's ordinary meet inn; on Thursday evening, a.s a number of protest* from religious organi-a t ion.s have already been addressed to the council. Allegation* have been made that liquor war; sold on Town Hall premises during Ihe ball; it this were so it. would be a. matter for police prosecution, but the statement has been emphatically denied. Contrary to common belief. there is no city by-law prohibiting drinking intoxicating liquor ill the Town Hall. It is against the by-laws to smoke there, but not to drink.

Apart from the question of, consumption of liquor in the Town Hall premises, the actual conduct of the ball and the behaviour of a number of those present i« likely to be discussed by the council with a view to ascertaining the truth or falsity of the many rumours which have been common, and if a measure of truth is found in them, of preventing a repetition. In this connection it is possible that the council will call for reports from certain of its • officers. The finance committee of the council is directly responsible for the control of the Town Hull, and the chairman is the Mayor, Sir Krnest Davis, who was out of town to-day.