CABARET IN PARK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22579, 18 November 1936, Page 14

CABARET IN PARK

NEW PLYMOUTH PROPOSAL STRONG OBJECTION RAISED [I)Y TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] NEW PLYMOUTH, Tuesday A keen controversy has been roused by the New Plymouth Borough Council's proposal to lease n summer house in Burgess Park as a cabaret. The house is the summer residence of Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Burgess, which, together with tlic park, was recently given to the borough by the owners. The house, of picturesque Welsh design, is in the midst of a beautiful garden surrounded by nativo bush, about four miles from the town. As a contribution toward the maintenance of the park, thfl council proposes to lease the house as a cabaret.

On moral grounds, strong objection has been raised by a section of the community, which contends that, since the house is so far removed from the town, it will be difficult to exercise adequate police supervision, and that generally the opening of a cabaret in such surroundings is undesirable. A deputation composed of leading figures in religious bodies waited on the council and entered a strong protest. The leader of the deputation, the Rev. F. Copeland, said they were not a few parsons who had got together, but representatives of a large section of the community who deplored tjie proposal to open a cabaret in a locality of such a nature and so far removed from police supervision. The fact that the council was attaching stringent conditions to the lease, lie said, indicated recognition of a danger. W here a place of that kind was leased to private individuals, a grave danger existed. Mr. W'. H. Skinner deplored the fact that a public body was to be instrumental in starting such a venture. The Mayor, Mr. E. R. C. Gilmour: There is no intention of turning the place into a roadhouse. Mr. Gilmour remarked that probably the word cabaret gave a wrong impression of the council's intention. The council eventually decided to invite the deputation to make suggestions of how the council might otherwise cause the house to earn sufficient revenue to enable the park and buildings to bo maintained in proper order.