JUBILEE BALL IS ABANDONED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18442, 18 April 1928, Page 11

JUBILEE BALL IS ABANDONED.

BIG PUBLIC DANCE TO BE CONSIDERED.

The idea of holding a jubilee ball in connection with the celebrations of the diamond jubilee of the city was abandoned at yesterday’s meeting of the executive of the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations Committee, and a small subcommittee was appointed to consider the question of organising a people’s jubilee dance at a charge of 5s a ticket. The chairman of the Ball Commitee, Mr E. Poison, said that the committee had decided to recommend the executive to abandon the idea of holding a ball for adults, and that the committee should concentrate on making the two children’s fancy dress dances a success. The committee was practically unanimously of that opinion. Councillor D. G. Sullivan, M.P., said that the members of the Committee were of the opinion that they could not make a success of a ball on a charge of 7s 6d for tickets. He had suggested that instead of running an expensive ball, an attempt should be made to organise a people’s jubilee dance, and to fix the charge for tickets at ss. He had discussed the matter with Mr Poison, who agreed that something along those lin.es might be done, and suggested that a small special committee might be set up to consider the matter. He was of the opinion that the celebrations would not be complete without a dance for the people, and probably a function run on more democratic lines than a ball would prove a success. Mr C. H. Clibborn: Where could it be held? It was explained that the Winter Garden had already been reserved, and a band engaged for a ball. Mr J- S. Neville said that none of tha ladies on the Ball Committee danced, and they wished to concentrate on making the children’s dances a success. The Mayor (the Rev J. K. Archer)

said that it seemed to him that, anything of the nature of a citizens’ function should be open to the people generally to take part in if they wished, but it was obvious that a ball with tickets at 30s each would be limited to a few. He supported the idea of a people’s jubilee dance, and thought the executive should ask Mr Poison to undertake the work of organising it. Councillor Sullivan expressed the opinion that a committee of about three would be quite sufficient. Mr Poison said he had not given the matter much consideration, but he thought a good dance could be run on a charge of 5s a head; At the same time he thought the Winter Garden would not be large enough to hold all the people. The Mayor: Why not engage Dixieland as well as the Winter Garden? Mr Poison said that that might be done. The Caledonian Hall was engaged on the date proposed. It was decided that Mr Poison and the secretary (Mr W. E. Leadley), with power to co-opt outside members, should form a committee to consider the suggestion and report to the next meeting of the executive in a fortnight’s time. “You will want the Barracks,” remarked Mr Clibborn to Mr Poison.