THE STRATFORD BALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19124, 16 September 1925, Page 12

THE STRATFORD BALL.

ALLEGATIONS OF DRINKING. TRUTH OF THE CHARGES. PUBLIC INQUIRY TO BE HELD. [Br TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] NEW PLYMOUTH, Tuesday. Hio allegations that excessive drinking took place at tho Stratford Golf Club's ball were discussed at a meeting of- tho Stratford Borough Council, custodians of the hall in which the ball was held. When tho matter was first brought up tho council was in committee, but as soon as the Mayor, Mr. J. W. McMillan, realised the drift of the discussion, he moved that the council resume in open meeting. This was agreed to. Mr. W. Mclnnes said he was introducing tho matter not as a reflection upon the Golf Club but because ox the serious allegations contained in tho evidence given by tlie police at the inquest. I!io Mayor severely criticised tho evidence and the procedure at tho inquest. The inquest, ho said, resolved itself into an inquest on the Golf Club, and the council as custodians of tho hall had to take notice of the allegations. Ho said quite candidly that he did not believe the evidence of tho police. He felt that a gravo injustice had been done to the people who organised the ba]J and to the visitors. He intended to call on the town clerk, Mr. P. Skoglund, who had acted as M.C. at the ball, and Mr. C. R. Finnerty, who was also present at the ball, to give Heir versions of the affair, Mr. S. Ward: If you are going to- hold an inquiry on the matter it is only right that the police and representatives' of the Golf Club should be here. Mr. Mclnnes said he was surprised that tho first citizen ,and magistrate of tho town should so emphatically condemn the evidence of the police. The Mayor made it plain that he had expressed only his personal conviction. Mr. Mclnnes said he had made inquiries and he believed the police had understated the misconduct rather than exaggerated it. "

Mr. Finnerty denied tho allegations, saying the ball was one of tho best conducted he had ever attended. A'grave reflection had been cast on a number of respectable citizens and he thought the pqlico were making serious charges against the visitors. He had seen only one man who could not be considered sober. Mr. Skoglund said the ball was one of the best conducted of the season. Only one man had been reported to him as not being sober. He was personally acquainted with 75 per cent, of the visitors and lie said emphatically that no exception could possibly be taken to anyone's behaviour inside tho hall. He strongly denied that lads under 21 years of age had been given drink, though he admitted that some of the larrikin element that invariably seemed to be attracted to the precincts of such functions were outside the hall.

Mr. Ward said women also were impli cated.

It was agreed to ask for a public inquiry at which all parties, including the acting-coroner, would be invited to give evidence.