NORTHLAND HALL

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 154, 29 December 1930, Page 11

NORTHLAND HALL

FIRE OR PANIC RISK

A correspondent; "Safety First," a resident of Northland, has written suggesting tliat the responsible authorities should inspect the Northland Hall and satisfy themselves and the public whether the provision for emergency exits is adequate to meet .1 possible outbreak of fire or a panic from any ■other cause. He writes:— "It was most gratifying to read in your report of the Northland School concert that the hall was full to overflowing, especially as the proceeds were to be devoted to the help' of the unemployed, but it is about time- someone realised the danger of overcrowding this hall. To enter the concert romo, which is about ten feet below road level, one descends a flight of wooden stairs. At the far end is the stage, under which, on a lower floor is the supper-room, from which there is an exit. At these performances every inch of floor space is occupied, not even an aisle being left, and the overflow stands and blocks the entrance stairs. The fire escape, from which there is a drop of about twenty feet, would be useless in case of emergency. "Surely now that we have a fire station at Northland, a capable officer could bo told off to see that.the city bylaws are not ignored, and safeguard the children, who would suffer most in case of panic. The entertainment that the pupils gave was a credit to themselves, and thoir teachers, and is well worthy of a hall which would accommodate a larger audience, give the kiddies a much better atmosphere to perform in, and eradicate the risk of an appalling catastrophe." , Some months ago the City Council discussed in a general way the question of exits from theatres, halls, and other places of entertainment, the arrangements at certain buildings being sharply criticised. Instructions were given th,at the officers should inquiro into the matter, but no report or other reference has been before the council, at any rate in open meeting. At the last meeting of the council a question was asked whether the bylaws regarding crapes from twostoried boarding-houses were being observed, and an assurance was given, that that matter would also be looked into. Possibly the even move important matter of theatre exits will be dealt with at the same time.