SYDNEY BALL SCANDAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 September 1924, Page 9

SYDNEY BALL SCANDAL.

EXTRAORDINARY SCENES? DISGL’STINIG BEHAVIOUR. GIRLS HELPLESSLY DRUNK Details of the extraordinary scenes of drunkenness and disorder at the Sydney Artists’ Ball on the night of August 29 are published in the Sydney newspapers. The Lord Mayor’s officer, Mr. M. Carrick, who was in charge of the council’s staff, stated on the day after the ball; “During the last 40 years I have seen some disgraceful events in the Town Hall, but none was so disgraceful as last night. All the disorderly scenes took place in the basement and corridors. The main dancing hall was free of them, and, in fact, the utmost good conduct prevailed. Without the intervention of the police it was probable that the unruly Element would have taken possession of'the building. “1 am also . surprised that there are many Australian mothers, lacking in moral courage ■ and- sense of responsibility, wlkj allowed'' their daughters to mix with the unruly element. Women and young girls were drunk everywhere. 1 saw many girls, no more than 18 or 19. so drunk and sick that they were unable to move. They were lying speechless on stairways and in the corridors, and, as far as I could see, their partners had deserted them. Drunkenness was six times more noticeable than was the case at any previous artists’ ball —all due to the* fact that many men brought liquor with them. Some men who were present were drunk when they reached the hall early even-

“I saw last night what I had not seen at the Town Hall for a very long time —I mean the spilling of blood. Several men had to be taken to hospital as the result of rough play and behaviour, and many girls were taken away as well,’’ Mr. Carrick added. "Attempts .were made by people outside to break the windows of the Town Hall ’so that they could secure admittance to the upstairs and well-locked portions of the building. “Once a howling mob found a ladder and tried to climb to the windows. But it was forced back. Broken bottles, blood, liquor and all sorts of disgusting rubbish littered the floors. The condition of the building this morning is dreadful. lam glad some of the aidermen were present. A number of complaints were received from people that their pockets had been picked. The cloak-room arrangements were perfect. A constable assisted the attendants at both ladies’ and gentlemen’s cloakrooms. To begin with, too many people were admitted to the hall.” “EXTRAORDINARY FIRE RISK.” The chief officer of the New Sjouth Wales Fire 'Brigade, Mr. F. Jackson, in his report said:—“'From information I received regarding the extensive and flimsy decorations erected in the hall, as well as in the basement, and in view of the happenings which occurred last year in connection with the same function, 1 deemed it my duty to make an inspection of the place. After an inspection, it was quite apparent that there was an extraordinary fire risk, particularly if smoking was allowed. At about 8.30 p.m. there was a great rush to gain admittance, and in a very short time the place was crowded beyond all reason.

“All available space was crowded in the main hall, 'basement, and corridors, and if there had been a panic from any cause whatever it would 'be impossible to imagine what would have happened. Within half an hour of the opening a certain number of young people of both sexes commenced smoking, even striking matches and lighting cigarettes on the main hall floor while dancing, while around the sides of the hall the greater number of the people were smoking. I spoke to the town clerk, Mr. Layton, and Mr. Carrickthe latter, realising the danger, immediately sent some of his staff to try and put a stop to it, but I could see that they were unable to cope with the people, and in view of the many instances of extreme carelessness and recklessness which wen* taking place, I decided to place a number of the brigade staff on duty in the main hall and in the basement.

“Four men w«e sent from head- ( quarters, and I instructed them to prevent, as far as possible, smoking, and particularly the lighting of matches and . throwing them on the floor. (For some time they were able, with the assistance of some of the Town Hall staff, to keep the people in cheek. After a time a large number were showing signs of drink, ami resented being spoken to, especially the females, who, apparently, thought they had a free hand to do as they wished. This Was in the main hall.” SCENES IN THE BASEMENT. Mr. Jackson proceeds:—“ln the basement, it was worse. Here the greater number of people were under the influence of drink, and some were so drunk that they were falling about, and many of both sexes were lying helpless about the passages and doorways, and were attempting to smoke as they lay on the floor. My principal anxiety was that a large number of the young (females 'were wearing paper and flax land trimmings, and a lighted match ’carelessly thrown down would have easily ignited them. “The means of exit and the stairs communicating to the basement were , found to be totally inadequate’ in case of fire or panic. The crushing on the ■stairs, particularly on the northern sides, was at times terrible; women squealing and men shouting in the crush to get up or down. These stairs provide on the main exits. The doors leading to the exits on the main floor, both on the north and south sides, were blocked, and not available. The vestibule was used as a cloakroom, thus allowing only the centre, door available as an exit. “It was quite evident that in all the arrangements made the safety of the people in case of fire or panic had been totally ignored, not the least thought having been given to this most important matter in any way. The officers and staff of the Town Haiti did all in their po’Wer, but were practically helpless. It was only the very tactful and persistent action of the police that prevented a serious disaster. THE COMMITTEE “SAW NOTHING.” Members of the committee, when seen on the morning after the ball, iight- ' oartedly expressed their surprise that ..cention should have been taken to the

proceedings. They said they had seen nothing which might be described as a “saturnalia.” In fact, they were unanimous in claiming that the whole affair was a great success. Mr. 'C. 'B. Westmacoit, of J. C. Williamson and l 'Company, Ltd., said that he was too busy upstairs while the ball was in progress to notice what went on in the basement. There were police for that purpose. “It was a most successful night.’’ said Mr. Westmacott. “Toward the end a police inspector came to me and said he was going to clear the basement, as they were getting a bit too rough down there. 1 said 1 would be glad* if the basement were cleared, as we were closing the ball, anyway. It was a successful night.” "I saw nothing of an unseemly nature,’’ Mr. Leslie Board remarkei). “We had taken precautions. All the whisky was under lock and key, in charge of Mr. Carrick. Only sufficient was taken out during the ball to ifill moderate requirements. If there 'was anything over the odds in the basement, it must have been due to a certain element, which imported its own liquor. Otherwise, the conduct of the crowd 'was as good as in any other ball. There was a general good spirit of fun, .suggestive of the best 'Continental carnival I, have ever seen.’’ Mr. Sydney Ure Smith said the whole affair was a’ success. “It is impossible,” he added, “to keep out some unruly spirits, but we did our best to handle such as they should 'be handled. I ‘thought it was a particularly good-tem-pered crowd, out for a good night’s fun —'that is all!”