WAIT AND SEE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19139, 24 October 1927, Page 8

WAIT AND SEE.

EFFECT OF SUMMER TIME BILL. THEATRES TO OPEN LATER. When the Summer Time Bill conies into operation at two o'clock on the morning of Sunday, November 6th, it may be that the present services, for example those of transport and amusement, may not suit exactly tho needs of tho people. Those responsible for these services are not as yet able to gauge exactly the effect of the measure, and they intend to wait and see and make alterations as they aro deemed necessary. For tho present, tho Christchurch Tramways do not contemplate any alteration in their time-table. The picture theatres have decided to open at eight o'clock. The Trams. Mr F. Thompson, manager of the Christchurch Tramways, stated that the decision of tho Churches to hold Sunday evening services at seven o'clock instead of half-past six had been considered and no change in the tram time-table semed to be necessary for that hour. If the people were going to stay out an hour later at night it might be necessary to run a later tram. Nothing would be done, however, till the shortcomings of the present time-table were demonstrated. He proposed to put a poster in the trams a few days before the measure came into operation to remind tho people to put their clocks forward on the Sunday.

One effect of the Summer Time Bill, the consequences of which could not be calculated, was the increased number of hours the employees would have to work. None of the unions seemed to have considered this as yet, and he did not know how the various awards would work. The tramway day was now eighteen hours, and it seemed likely that it would be increased to nineteen. Conductors and motormen at present worked ninety-six hours per !'or! night. He did not think that the ooMtion would call for an additional staff. The Pictures. "We have already decided that the principal picture theatres, / 'The Liberty,' 'Crystal Palace, 1 'Every* body's,' and 'The Grand' will open at eight o'clock after November 6tn," said Mr H. Waters, general manager of the Christchurch Cinemas. He thought this would fit the bill, but time alone "could prove the suitability or otherwise of the measure. The continuous houses, would not be affected. The Railways will continue as they are at present until such time as they find a change advisable. It is not likely that the measure will affect this service.