AFFRONT TO TOWN CLERK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21990, 27 June 1933, Page 8

AFFRONT TO TOWN CLERK

AN APOLOGY DEMANDED {Pee United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 20. The City Council intends demanding an apology from Frank Neil, director of the Comedy Company playing here, r tor remarks made at Sunday nights concert, allegedly having the .effect of making the town clerk (Mr E. P. Norman) appear ridiculous. The company had agreed to give a concert in aid of the Smith family distress fund. The council requires that all programmes shall be submitted to the town clerk for approval or otherwise. Some confusion occurred regarding an appointment to discuss some details in connection with a dialogue, but the concert proceeded according to plans, Mr Neil making humorous references to the city's censor. ,';,'.. , n. The Mayor reported the matter to trie council meeting 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 that the company was giving a free night in aid of a distressed family, and the town clerk had made an absurd request, asking that the full words be given by Wallace and Beck. They were comedians and not monologue artists, and he had confidence that they 'would not say anything inappropriate. _ P The performance gave pleasure," he said, " and raised much-needed money for a deserving cause. This is 1933 smug hypocrisy and should take a back seat to the needs of the moment."'