Made Town Clerk Look Ridiculous!

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7193, 27 June 1933, Page 6

Made Town Clerk Look Ridiculous!

COMEDY COMPANY DIRECTOR ASKED TO APOLOGISE "SMUG HYPOCRICY” IS HIS RETORT Per Press Association WELLINGTON, Last Night. Tho Wellington City Council intends demanding an apology from Mr. Frank Neil, director of a comedy company playing here, for remarks made on Sunday night at a concert allegedly having tho effect of making the town clerk, Mr. E. P. Norman, ridiculous. Tho company had agreed to give the concert in aid of tho "Smith Family” distress fund and the Council requires that all programmes bo submitted to tho town clerk for approval or otherwise. Some confusion occurred regarding an appointment to discuss some of the details in connection with a dialogue but the concert proceeded according to plans, Mr. Neil making humorous references to the city’s censor.

Tho Mayor reported tho matter to the Council to-day when Councillors remarked that it was unfair that the clerk should be submitted to trouble and affronts in reviewing programmes. Eventually it was decided to demand an apology. Mr. Neil says tho company was giving its only free night to aid tho distressed and tho elerk had mado an absurd request asking that the full words be given by George Wallace and Syd. Beck. They were comedians and not monologue artists and ho had confidence that they would not say anything inappropriate. "The performance gavo pleasure,” ho said, "and raised much-needed money for a deserving cause. This is 1933 and smug hypocricy should take a back seat to the needs of the moment.”