EXPENSES HIGH

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20926, 4 January 1938, Page 10

EXPENSES HIGH

CHARITY BALLS NOT ENOUGH TO CHARITY Charity balls—the favourite ladder of the social climber —are on the decline in England. It has been found that in comparison with the wealth lavished on them too little money is going to charity. In one case, at which 500 guests paid two guineas each for tickets, only about £lOO was left, for the charity for which the ball had been organised. Where does the money go? The professional organisers get a fat fee. first of all. This may range from £250 to £l.OOO. They say that they have to move in the right circles, and that this costs money. The dance orchestra costs from £3O to £4O a night. Even then, some of the well-kwnown band i leaders explained, these are special I terms and barely cover teh expenses ! ! of each player and library fees for the | music. Guaranteed The hotel providing the ballroom ! and staff is guaranteed a certain I number of guests. Fifty per cent, of the ticket money is taken by the hotel ' management if more than this number i attends. An official of one of the leadi ing hospitals said: "We have always , refused to allow our hospital’s name to ;be used in connection with charity | balls. I have often been approached J by professional organisers who have admitted that they were to receive as much as forty per cent, of the proceeds of the sale of tickets and donations.” Whatever the cause, many Mayfair hostesses arc refusing to allow their names to be used as patrons of these types of charity balls. Banquets, film premieres, and bridge tournaments are now coming into society's charity spot- ' light. They’re cheaper to organise—- • and they raise more money.