THEATRE FOR EDGECUMBE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 1, 22 August 1944, Page 5

THEATRE FOR EDGECUMBE

SETTLERS DEMAND PERMIT

COUNCIL'S ACTION

CRITICISED

Ever since the burning of the Green Parrot Theatre at Edgecuimbe some two years ago persisltent efforts have been made by the owners and interested settlers 'to persuade the Whakatane County Coumcil to waive its by-laws and' permit of the erection of a new theatre which would, to all intents and 1 purposes be fire-proof. The Council, while expressing sympathy for the project, has nevertheless adhered tstrictly to the letter of the by-laws and has refused the permit whenever the matter has) been introduced. The subject took a new turn last week, when seventy settlers and residents met. in Bell's Hall with the idea of furthering the claims of the owners, and of voicing the opinion of the; residents). Mr O. V. Marx, who was elected to the chair, explained that the meeting had been called spontaneously as a result of the growing public feeling and had nothing to do with the proprietors or picture, theatre interests. Crs W. A. McCracken and D. Butler outlined the County Coun-' oil's reasons for not granting the license, maintaining that as Edgecumbe Avas a growing centre; fire safeguards had to be taken under the newly made brick by-laws. A very full discussion followed, the speakers almost without exception warmly criticising the attitude of the Council for withholding permission at a time when it was contended circumstances dictated a more elastic policy. Plans and specifications or the new building were laid before th© meeting and were praised as a genuine effort on the part of the owners to construct a building fully in keeping with the progress of the township.

The plans made for a building faced with asbestos sheeting and lined with fire-proof wallboard. It was a commodious and arresting structure. Speakers expressed the opinion that all fire hazards had been met by such a building and that the Council was merely splitting hairs in refusing to grant the powers to proceed.

Mr Eric Bell said tliat the building was constructed of practically the same material as the Green Lane Hospital in Auckland where eight hundred beds were accommodated. There could be no objection to its construction as a theatre. Mr P. Roger, whose premises were in close proximity to the theatre admitted that he had formerly" been an objector to the building going up but his objections had been mainly due to lack of information. After having inspe,cted the plans and specifications he now had no objections whatsoever. On. the motion of Messrs S. Alexander and E. J. Bell, the meeting unanimously passed the following motion: — "That this meeting of settlers and l residents appoint a delegation to ajttend the next meeting of the Whakatane County Council to put before its members its unanimous views that a permit should be granted for the rebuilding of the theatre a!t Edgecumbe." Messrs I. Gow and O. V. Marx were appointed to attend the meeting.