THEATRE ROYAL LICENSE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1775, 13 June 1913, Page 7

THEATRE ROYAL LICENSE.

EXTENSION GRANTED,

On behalf of Messrs. John Fuller and Song, Mr. Ts, Young waited upon the City Council last evening to apply foi an extension of th& iiccnsß of tho lheatro Royal for a period of 16 weeks. MrYoung explained that the Theatre Royal hail been licensed for the last 35 years, and provided all tho accommodation necessary for tho safety and comfort of the public. About six years ago a brick partition was erected at a oost of about JE6OO, as a further protection, and tha building was as safe now as ever it was. The extension of the license would enable Messrs. duller and Sons to complete certain engagements which they had entered into, 'l'he license for this year expired on March. 31, and oil April o Messr3. Puller and Sons put in for a renewal. On April 10 the Corporation Inspector went and inspected the building, and received .£lO for a half-year s renewal. Messrs. Fuller and Sons thought this was the usual procedure, and nothing further was said at tho time, v About a month later the town clerk wrote drawing attention to a clause in tho covenant for rebuilding in October. Some twelve days ago the lown clerk again, wrote stating that tho license could not be extended because of the rebuilding clause, in compliance with tho lease. Messrs. I'liller and Sons were anxious to complete their contracts in the Theatre Royal, as they were unable to obtain another theatre. The short facts were that somo tivo or six years ago Messrs. I uller and Sons thought it would be in tho best interests of tho city to build, a new theatre, and tha leases wero acquired on the sections on which tho Theatre Royal stood, nr.d adjacent sections, at a cost ot about vfiiflOO. Since then a theatre-building boom had set in, and it was not now considered good policy to have a new theatre erected in the vicinity of tho-Theatre Royal. As they had come to that conclusion it was considered that it would not bo to the best interests of tho corporation to have a useless theatre on their land and Messrs. Fuller and Sons did not dfesiro to get out of their covenant. The laying of tho foundation stone of the *ew Opora House was the final straw which decided them that it was not desirable to build a theatre where tho Theatre Royal was. Their original scheme had - been anticipated by tho building of other theatres. , .. , Mr. Luke: Are any of tho artists engaged k for the full 36 weßks?— I cannot Btate that definitely." ~ The Mayor explained that tho matter would be considered later in the evening and Mr. Young withdrew. Councillor Fuller was not present during the discussion. When the matter was further considered tho Mayor said he was prepared to move that the license should bo extended to Fitzgerald moved as an amendment that the request for tho 10 weeks' extension should bo granted. As Mr. Young had pointed out no doubt other landlords would meet their tenants, anil the City Council should be a model landlord There was no doubt that Messrs. Fuller and Sons would bo embarrassed if the lease was not extended. Councillor Tregear seconded the amendment and Councillor M'Kenzie supported '''on a vote beintT taken the amendment was.carried on tho understanding that there should be no further application for extension. ______