"UNHOLY ROW"

Evening Post, Issue 12, 14 July 1936, Page 7

"UNHOLY ROW"

■^ LOWER HUTT DANCES

FRESH COMPLAINTS

rHE HORTICULTURAL HALL

Some time ago strong complaints j were made by the residents of Lower Hutt who live near the recently-erected horticultural hall that disgraceful behaviour, accompanied by considerable noise continuing into the small hours of the morning, had occurred at functions held in the hall. The complaint was principally that the patrons of dances left the hall at frequent intervals and that disturbances accompanied by the starting of motor-cars, the banging of car doors, and the shouting of the dancers, took place on the street. It was also alleged that the drinking of intoxicating liquor took place in cars and on the street and that empty bottles were littered all over the street the next morning.

The council was also directly concerned as it was reported that considerable damage was being done to flowers and shrubs in Riddiford Park, which adjoins the hall.

The council investigated the complaints and as a. result threatened to cancel the licence of the hall unless the conduct of the patrons of functions improved. To remedy the matter the Horticultural Society agreed to make it a condition that all persons renting the hall for dances on Saturday nights should refuse to allow their patrons pass out checks, thus ensuing that no person could leave the hall until his final departure. This plan .was adhered to for several weeks, and council officers reported that no exception could be taken to the conduct of patrons on those occasions. . •A BOARING IIEVL." Last, meeting, however, the council had before it further serious complaints regarding conduct during the past fortnight. A letter received from one resident was couched in extremely strong language and referred to the scene outside, the hall last Saturday, as a "roaring hell" and said that the conduct continued into the hours of Sunday morning. :

The Mayor requested the Chief Inspector, who lives next door to the hall, to report on the matter. Inspector Fletcher said that when the pass-out checks had been refused there was nothing to which he could take exception, but last Saturday and the Saturday before pass-out checks had been allowed and there had been serious ground for complaint. From 10.30 p.m. onwards there had been a constant moving of cars, banging of doors, and the noise of loud shouting on the street. The flower beds in the park had been tramped over and there had been "a most, unholy row" When the patrons were finally dispersing.

The Mayor, Mr. J. W. Andrews, said that up to a point he was entirely in agreement with the complaint made in the letter. The council had seriously considered the cancelling of the licence, but had held its hand until the Horticultural Society had a chance of enforcing on the people who leased the hall the refusal to .issue pass-out checks. When this was enforced the trouble abated, but apparently the restriction made the dances unremunerative, and during the last fortnight the condition had been broken, with tne result that the complaints were justified. ' . ' :

The conduct was perhaps no worse than took place at other dance halls, but the trouble was this was in a residential area. The council; had been criticised for allowing the hall to be built there, but it had not issued a building permit for a public dance ■hall, and he personally had warned the Hoi-ticultural Society before the "building commenced that there would be trouble if public dances were permitted. ■ As a remedy for the noise from cars the bylaws committee recommended that no cars should be parked in front of residences adjacent to the hall between 10.30 p.m. and 6 ia.m.

COUNCILLORS SYMPATHETIC.

Councillor R. M. Russell said he did not think the remedy sufficient. It was time the council took action and gave the residents relief.

Councillor M. MacaskiU said that the complaints covered other than Saturday night dances.

Councillor C. J. Ashton said it was most unfair that residents should be given sleepless nights because the patrons of dances could not behave themselves.

. Councillor Cole said everyone wanted to help the Horticultural Society to augment its funds, but the council's first duty was to the ratepayers, who were entitled to quiet surroundings. Councillor Dowse said he had evidence that the conduct was absolutely disgusting and the council should have no compunction in withdrawing the permit. It was not for the council to tell the Horticultural Society how it was to do its job, but it was clearly the duty of the council to protect the re■sidents. The attention of the police should be drawn to the matter.

The Mayor pointed out that the Horticultural Society had not yet obtained a licence for the hall for the current year.

It was decided in the meantime to prohibit the parking of cars in the immediate neighbourhood.