NEW PICTURE PALACE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3987, 21 July 1915, Page 7

NEW PICTURE PALACE.

TUB QUESTION OF A LICENSE.

HAVE, PROPER EXITS BEEN - PROVIDED ?

REPORT TO BE OBTAINED FROA EIRE SUPERINTENDENT.

An application lor a license for the new Picture Palace, now in course of erection, has been before the Borough Council for some time. At! tlio meeting of tire Borough Council Committees last week, tlio Borough Solicitors .forwarded an opinion stating that the plans for the new picture theatre: were not in accord.ance with the by-law. It was decided to flsk the Building Inspector to confer with tlio Fire Superintendent and carefully study the opinion, and report to the Council by next meeting. Mr. W. D. Michie, Borough Buikb ing Inspector, reported on the matter as follows to the Borough Council last night:—

'T have carefully gone through tlio. opinion given by the Borough solicitors mi the by-laws dealing with •places of amusement, and find that tlio plans submitted! are not in conformity with the by-laws. The entrance and exit fronting the street shown on plans is 12ft wide. This is the only one provided for in section 219. Section 220 provides in addition for two wide exits, not less than 10ft wide, and section 222 provides that they shall continue to the street. Therefore, three separate entrances and exits must be provided! if the Council desire to uphold the by-laws, and I cannot see. my way to recommend the application to be granted. The operating room would be far better constructed hi brick or concrete. Tim right-of-way at rear will require thatthe entrance gate to same will he unlocked during performances.” Dr. Collins said that it was a disadvantage to have all openings from a theatre oil to one street, as the people crowding out would! interfere with the firemen. It would be better to have one entrance on to the main street and other entrances opening on to a side street. This would enable the theatre to be emptied quicker. He moved that permission be given to proceed with the building. Cr. Wade seconded the motion. He remarked that many_ of the Council’s by-laws wanted! revising, as many_ of them were unreasonable. The New Picture Palace: was not a theatre, where inflammable Scenery would be stored. He, for one, would be prepared to accept responsibility for granting a permit on the plans submitted. Cr. Bright said he still held that they .should get the report-of tlie Superintendent of the Fire Brigade on th© matter. Cr. -Miller said tlie Council took exception to the proprietors going oil with the building in defiance of the by-laws. ’ , The -Mayor said! lie would vote against the issue of the license. .. Both the Borough Solicitor and the Budding Inspector had said that the plans were against the by-laws, and lie was not prepared to_ grant a permit m the face of these opinions. Cr. Wildish said they should get the opinion of the Superintendent oi the Fire Brigade. Of tire two proposals before the Council lie wou-d vote for the amendment. Cr. Munns said! they heard time and again that the by-laws were no good, and yet no councillor seemed to make a. move to put them right. Gisborne was not- going to stand still, and that picture house would be there lor all time. They had not only to guard against fire, hut panic. W hat would happen if a serious earthquake •occurred:? Cr. Muiins, with the consent of his seconder, then withdrew his motion. C’r. Collins’ amendment, that, permission lie given to proceed; with the building, then became the motion. Cr. Bright then moved, as an amendment, that- a report be obtained from tlio Superintendent- of the v iro Brigade on the subject. Cr. Brown seconded the amendment. He said that he was not prepared. without a further report, to vote ior a permit being granted without proper'exits being provided. Or. Wade pointed out that the proprietors of the Picture Palace, were paving £l2 a wt. k rent, and it vas unfair to keen them hanging on. Cr. Lawless said the Council ought to settle what attitude it should take up, and 1 decide one way or the other. Cr. Bright’s amendment was then put and carried by 5 votes to 3, Crs. : (joiJins, Wade, and Lawless being m the minority. Cr. Wade: That means hanging up the matter for a. week. Cr. Menus moved tliat a special meet'iuo' Ik: called to deal with the matter? He did not wish to hang up the matter. . After further discussion, Cr. Munns withdrew his motion. At a Later stage, on .tlio motion ot the Mayor, it was decided to adjourn tlio meeting until 5 o’clock this afternoon in order to receive the report from the Superintendlent of the Fire Brigade.