PEOPLE PICTURE PALACE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3988, 22 July 1915, Page 2

PEOPLE PICTURE PALACE.

THE. QUESTION OK A LICENSE

borough council agrees to B grant a permit.

T 0

WORLD’S PICTURES LICENSED ' U,U -]■() SEAT GOO.

The. rijiifiriml **' *)'•: r People’s Picture 1 >!;;> v emirses.ol erection. >' 1 , s yor, sent: The Mayor (M ” • Y d, 1. ;.ml On. jJ. Brown, A. \N ado, • IG. Lawless, H. ;• %I'KCTOA. Munns, G. X \ llcl,b * V the (JisK’rne | pis POUT PROMT '|'hoin£K»d) reI The Rupenntcw .... . ’ Urioade asked for a report "| ,1 ns f(»l the proposed Palace l>°[ “ d w l jb, referring to ex.ts, ' ;, [, <> state as follows: T t .as: .Alter examining the 1 , am of opinion that the exits ! ate suilicient, considering that I y is yin open court of JO loot a t A.side leading into a 10ft right of ay, with an outlet into Bright Str-eot. here is also a 12ft wide exit leading

directly into tlie main street. “In my opinion, the most likely place a lire could occur would be either in the operating box' or in the shops on the Gladstone lioad side ol the theatre. For this reason, in case ol' panic, it Mould be advisable to get the people out towards the back instead of the front. “The side exits, from the circle both load direct into the above mentioned 10ft open court, and are in my opinion quite satisfactory. lam quite satisfied that with the exits provided in the plans the building could bo emptied in two minutes. “Operating, hex: Ine plans show the construction of the operating box to lie of wood I raining and asbestos lining, which, in my opinion would not bo lire pmol. and 1 would recommend it to be constructed ot brick with a vent leailiim through tho roof. “In case of a serious fire taking place iu the box the iron door could by shut- and the llamcs instead of bursting out into the circle would then go through the vent leading to tlie outside through Hie roof and above the parapet. “Seating: The seating accommodation according to the plans is 999, which I consider reasonable, and not in any way overcrowding. “Hose: There is no provision in the plans for fire hose. f would suggest that a 2-inch main with hose attached be placed in close proxinimity to the operating box.” A let ior was received from Mr F. Hall stating that as long as the lease lasted the right of way would be kept clear and the gates open. The Mayor said that as far as he was concerned the report from me Superintendent and the letter from Mr Hall did not alter his opinion in any way whatever. He moved that the license be not granted. Cr. Miller seconded the motion. Cr. -Hill said be supported the motion. The fact that the Building Inspector (Mr Mitchie) had construed the by-law in exactlv the same way as the Borough solicitors had done reflected credit on bis judgm: tit. He could not accept Mr Thomson's judgment as against that of the. Borough Building Inspector and the Borough Solicitor. The Mayor said that Superintendent Thomson's report did not shift the responsibility from the shoulders of tlie Council.

Cr. Collins pointed out that both the Mayor and CY. Miller, the proposer and seconder of the motion, had voted for the amendment to obtain a report from Superintendent Thomson. It seemed a peculiar position. Cr. Miller: Because we voted to obtain a report from Hie Superintendent that it not to say we are bound to accept that report. Cr. Collins’ contention is too absurd for words. Cr. Brown said be could not follow Cr. Collin s’ reasoning. He. after bearing the Superintendent’s -report, would vote as he pleased. Ho moved, as an amendment, that the Council grant the license, providing the hose was supplied and the operating room was built in brickwork.

Cr. Collins seconder! the motion pro forma. Ci'. Muons said he came down that night fullv determined to opuose the granting of the permit. When lie heard, however, that the theatre could bo emptied in two minutes and the right-of-way would lx* kept- open, he did not see ho\V the Council could refuse to grant the permit. Cr. Wildish said he thought lie knew a little about lire matters, and ho was satisfied that the license should lie granted. The Superintendent had given a verv fair report, and if his recommendations were carried out the building would he quite safe.

Cr. Lawless supported the granting of the permit, remarking that they should see that the right-of-way was kept open. Cr. Bright said it must have been clear to everyone when he moved his amendment on Tuesday night what Mas in his mind. In case of the exits being found sufficient, lie would bo prepared to vote for tin* permit being granted. He though, however, that the right-of-wav should he fenced and he thought Cr. Brown should add this proviso to his amendment-. Cr. Brown said lie was quite agreeable to do this. Cr. Hill said that if anyone could show him that- they could'grant the permit tinder their by-laws lie would he prepared to vote for 1 the license. Cr. Wildish said the Superintendent of the Hire Brigade had power to refuse a license for any place of amusement if he considered the exits were not adequate. The Mayor asked what would ho the result if the store at the back caught fire ? Cr. Wildish said it would he hotter for the store at the hack to catch fire than tor the front of the building to do so. Cr. Brown’s amendment was then put and carried. Crs. Brown, Collins. .Bright, Lawless, Wildish. Muuns and Wade voting for, and,the Mayor, Crs. Hill and Miller against. Cr. Collins moved that a- committee ho- set. ini to revise the by-laws relating to lire prevention. Cr. Wade suggested that the matter should be left over until the new Borough ICnginecr arrived. Cr. Collins said that the Council’s experience had been that engineers usually took the by-laws of the last council they had come from. Cr. Collins nominated the Muvor and Crs. Hill. Miller, Bright, Wildish and Brown iis the committee to revise the fire by-laws. The motion was carried.

Cr. moved that a license he granted to the World’s Pictures to seat 600 people. Cr. Collins seconded the motion. Cr. Mill said lie would vote for the motion, because they had made a concession to the Picture Palace which they had no right to make. He would, therefore, vote for the motion. The motion was carried, Cr. Miller being the only dissentient.