ARTISTS' BALL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 16186, 24 July 1923, Page 9

ARTISTS' BALL.

SQUABBLE WITH SOCIETY

FUNCTION IN SYDNEY,

SYDNEY, July 13.—Practicably all Australia, and no doubt some people in Now Zealand, heard of the happenings at tho Sydney artists' ball last year, when stories were told of how whisky had been placed in the claret cup, and, how people staggered to their homes in the early hours of the morning. Of course the undoubted success of tho function led the artists to set out to hold this year an even greater ball. But many peoplo in Sydney society circles thought they should have a-hand in the control, hence they consulted with tH© artists, and a strong committeo was formed. But the artists declare that the committee's ono object has been to "wowserise" the function this year. The result is that there has been a very heated meeting, following ' which the artists have withdrawn their support. Tho ball is likely to be held, however, and it will be an artists' ball without the artists. The artists declare that they will hold a ball of their own at which they can eat sausages and onions off tho bare boards without being disturbed, nnc" drink as they wish. Despite that tho original ball is in aid of tho funds for the Australian Art Exhibition in England, tho function will get little support from tho artists. Tho meeting "at which the bubble burst was presided over by her Excellency, Lady Kur. tor. Mr. D. H. Soulur, in withdrawing the support of the artists, said that ho and other artists felt that (lie atmosphere was not quite as artistic as they had been accustomed to. He and a number of other artists felt keenly that it was only at an exceedingly lato hour that they were asked to take part in the proceedings. Mrs T. H. Kelly (on behalf of tho committee): Tt was not an eleventh hour decision. Mr. Sonter: This discussion is as painful to me as it is embarrassing to all here. Lady Forster: T cannot see that thore is anything painful at all. Mr. Sonter: Only the other day T heard from a reliable authority of some comments which hurt me very much. Mr. Sonter then left the room. Arrangements are now being made by the artists to hold a separate function to follow what they term tho "No Artists' Ball."