cleared, it was stated yesterday.

Organiser Mr. Murray Brown said disappointed fans who bought tickets for the aborted show at Devonshire had been refunded.

It is believed at least 16 people had been waiting for their money back.

"Everything has now been paid off,'' declared Mr. Brown.

Controversy erupted last week after Mr. Brown flew to Jamaica for the Sunsplash reggae concert leaving behind a string of debts. Ticket sellers here complained they were left without refund cash, having to parry fans demanding money back.

Among them were Hamilton businesses Music Box and 27th Century Boutique. But both confirmed yesterday they had been paid.

Mr. Brown said he was prepared to accept the flak for the refunds delay. He pointed out, however, another member of the organising team had been directed to sort out refunds. But the person had been slow off the mark, he claimed.

Mr. Brown agreed the aborted July 31 soul and rap show at Frog Lane Field had been a disaster. Scores of people had turned up to learn the concert had been cancelled at the 11th-hour.

And organisers Pro Exec Entertainment -- of which he is a member -- were still counting the financial cost of the fiasco, said Mr. Brown. "We are tabulating everything.'' Mr. Brown blamed the flop on bad weather and "extremely poor'' ticket sales.

Possibly as few as 50 people dipped into their pockets, when a crowd of up to 1,000 had been hoped for.

People were probably suffering from post-Cup Match apathy, said Mr. Brown.

"To tell the truth I don't know of any successful concert right after Cup Match.'' Mr. Brown said the decision to cancel had been carefully weighed.

The star acts, Isaac Hayes and Public Enemy, had to be paid for turning up.

But because they did not perform they did not get paid as much.

"It made financial sense to call the event off, even though we would lose money. In any case, I do not believe the audience would have enjoyed it.''