The Beatles at the Auckland civic reception with Mayor Robbie (John Baker collection).
Controversy was waiting for the Beatles before they even set foot in Auckland. Councillors were full of civic pride when the city celebrated its half-million population mark the month the moptops arrived - even though the council's finance committee had refused to contribute to the proposed celebrations
When it was
announced that the mayor would give an informal civic welcome for the Beatles at the Town Hall, tentatively planned for 24 June and restricted to teenagers, the storm clouds gathered. Robbie's chief adversary was Auckland Rugby Football Union president, Tom Pearce.
"Last evening I welcomed home a team of footballers," he informed the city council. "They were all fine young men but there was no civic or mayoral reception for them. If we are going to pander to the hysteria, antics, adulation, rioting, screaming and roaring, and all the things these bewigged musicians engender then I think we should make a point of honouring any youths with a sporting background who are at least endeavouring to act in the best traditions of the young men of this nation."
Sir Keith Park insisted that future civic receptions and welcomes should be limited to "very important people" in order to conserve public money and the time of council staff, weighing in with "I have nothing to say against the Beatles. They give an immense amount of pleasure and fun to thousands of young people. It is not up to us older ones to deny them this childish entertainment."
Telephone calls and letters, both for and against, flowed into the mayors office as well as a five pound donation from a prominent Aucklander, George F. Joseph, who wrote in his covering letter, "These young folk who will welcome the Beatles are those who will be called on to sacrifice their lives should World War III eventuate. So let them have their hour of excitement."
