Unlicensed, Therefore ‘Disorderly’

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30191, 24 July 1963, Page 15

Unlicensed, Therefore ‘Disorderly’

tNZ Press Association —Copyright)

MELBOURNE. July 23 Parts of the Victorian Theatres Aci were “ancient legislation" and long overdue fu. revision, a Magistrate said today. The Magistrate, Mr R K Kelly, S.M.. had heard police evidence about an all-male revue performed at the Jewel Box, a St. Kilda coffee lounge Twenty-seven persons were chargee with having been in a disorderly house Mr Kellv said that under the act a person putting on an unlicensed entertainment was liable to a £5O fine, and a nerson watching the entertainment could be taken away by police and charged with

an offence punishable by two years’ gaol. “It seems almost unbelievable. but it is a fact,’* Mr Kelly said. He fined two men £5 each for having permitted entertainment on premises unlicensed for the purpose. Another man was fined £5 for having caused the entertainment to be performed for gain. Six vouths aged between 18 and 20 were each fined £2 for having performed for reward a dancing act at premies unlicensed under the Theatres' Act Constable E Clements, of the Vice Squad, said he and other policemen paid 12s 6d

each at the door of the coffee lounge He said about 35 persons were sitting at tables and a stage show tn progress featured a number of female impersonators in women’s clothing, wigs and make-up They were dancing to music Clements said the promoter. Francis Peter O'Neill, told him the show had run in Sydney and he had legal advice that it was all right

Constable J Maxwell said six vouna men who were dressed as females said they were paid £25 a week for their performance Maxwell said a man named Peter Jenkins said he was an

executive for the show producer and said that of the 12s 6d admission. 10s went to the producer, who in turn paid £6O a week to O'Neill and Gerald Kenneth Hewing (the two who were fined £5 each)

Maxwell said the police then announced that the premises were not licensed and everybody was in a disorderly house About 35 persons were taken to the police station and charged.

The Magistrate said charges against 27 patrons would be adjourned for 13 weeks The defendants could not have known they were committing an offence, he said.