ARTISTS’ BALL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 3 September 1924, Page 5

ARTISTS’ BALL.

A HOOLIGAN ELEMENT. DRUNKEN DEBAUCHERY. BY CABL3—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYBIGHT • SYDNEY, Sept. 2. °n j 6 s€C °hd year in succession, >the Sydney artists’ ball provided the press and the public with a subject of criticism and controversy:- The ball was held in the 1 own. Hall. < At the main function upstairs everything was orderly and pleasant, but; the basement was devoted to refreshments. What is * described as a hooligan element took charge and, according to press reports, turned the function into a drunken debauchery. ; The police were called in by the artists’ executive in the early hours of the morning, and with difficulty cleared the basement of hundreds of revellers There were several free fights in which a number of persons Were more or Idss injured. Whisky and.beer bottles were recklessly flung around by drunken rowdies of both * According to published reports many unauthorised persons;gained admittance by securing Adders and climbing through the. windows, while unlimited quantities of liquor were smuggled in .hour arrests were made for drunkenness and two for , being present with intent to steal. The controversy i s now running high the artists’ executive disclaiming responsibility for the understairs proeeedings, which they charge against the Town Hall authorities and the police for not providing a sufficient force of attendants. The police have prepared a report, which is of such a sensational character that its publication has been made a matter of Cabinet consideration. It is understood that the police ireport covers cases of alleged grass misbehaviour, and that the whole trouble was not caused by those who secured unauthorised admission. After Cabinet consideration this afternoon the Chief* {secretary saidUhat if things at the ball were as bad the report made out, the credit of; Sydney would be at stake, and there must be a celaning-up. The question as to whether the police report will be published remains in the hands of tie Chief Secretary, who is consulting the Crown Law Department whether thei;e are grounds for pttxsecutioa in connection with the supply of liquor. The two arrests on charges of intent to steal were discharged, the magistrate . considering that they were entitled to the benefit of the doubt. Press reports state thit numbers of women and men liad to: be carried out of the basement helpless,y drunk. The Sydney Assembly, on a motion for the adjournment, discussed the artists ball. Members strongly condemned the alleged disgraceful proceedings, and demanded fullest inquiry especially regarding the supnly of fiquor.