ARTISTS' REVELS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 245, 29 September 1922, Page 3

ARTISTS' REVELS.

A SYDNEY SENSATION

Sydney, Sept. 20. Somewhat of a sensation has been created in Sydney by allegations regarding the conduct that took place at tue recent artists’ ball in the Town Hall. The function was a fashionable one, attended by leaders of the art world and ot society, and was the means of raising a considerable sum lor a local hospital. So glaring were the revelations made in a report to the Lord Mayor that tiie press was asked to use its discretion in publishing them. Many reputable people attended the ball, though they appear to have left at a reasonable hour. In the early hours after midnight, it is alleged that whisky was mixed with the claret cup, witli disastrous effects. The worst scenes took place, according to the report, between 2 a.m. and 2.30 a.m. Prominent citizens .who attended the ball state that they saw nothing improper, while the Artists’ Ball Committee informs th'e Lord Mayor that it only had the hall rented until 2 a.m., and that what took place after that time was no concern of the committee.

The Lord Mayor is refusing to allow society folk to gloss the matter oyer, and make it appear that nothing improper happened. “lhe conduct of many people at the ball was terrible,’’ he declares. “The proceedings developed into an orgy. Many oi them took advantage of the fact that they

were masked, and acted most flagrantly and without any regard for decency.’’

The Lord Major is taking action to prevent a repetition of any similar conduct in future.

The ball was generally acclaimed as the most successful of its kind ever seen in Sydney, and was said to outrival the famous art halls of London and Paris. It is intended to make it a yearly function, and those in charge say that they will not worry about the Town Hall on future occasions.