MUNICIPAL PICTURES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1156, 9 October 1913, Page 3

MUNICIPAL PICTURES.

DISCUSSED BY THE DEVIN COUNCIL.

The circnlar issued by the local Borough Council to municipalities re amending the Municipal Corporations Act to provide for the running of picture entertainments was discussed at Monday’s meeting of the Levin Borough Council. From the Chronicle we learn that the Mayor did not oppose the application, but thought it might not be wise for municipalities generally to go in for these entertainments.

Councillor France was against going in for such municipal entertainments; there were many others more important. One he would be in favour of would be the undertaking of land agency. Then there would be obtained for a few shillings something that now cost a man several pounds in some cases.

Councillors Parker, Mackenzie, Matheson, Lancaster and Prouse all strongly supported the application.

Councillor Mackenzie considered that the educational point of view in pictures was likely to be better considered by a municipality than by a private proprietor. Councillor Parker said he would like to see the possibilities of municipal activities widened rather than restricted. He did not think the average councillor would consent to the ratepayers’ moneys being wasted in “bubble” proposals. Councillor Matheson thought it absurd for any Levin councillor who had been favourable to establishing Levin’s baths being against any municipality conducting moving pictures. One was for health, the other for educational purposes. They Mayor said he did not think the councils should have their powers widened ; they were wide enough already. In saying that, he was not speaking against Foxtou’s proposal; he was referring to the general principle of the Act.

The request of Foxtou Borough was acceded to ou the voices.

At Monday night’s meeting of the Grey town Borough Council, it was resolved to support the Foxton Borough in the matter, and that the Minister of Internal Affairs be written to, asking that a clause be inserted in the Municipal Corporations Act authorising the running of moving pictures, and that the member of the district be asked to support the request. On the motion being put it was carried, Councillor Oliient dissenting. The Palmerston North and Mastertou Borough Conucils have also decided to support the Foxton Council in this matter.

The Wanganui Borough Council has also decided to endorse the local Council’s request and also resolved to ask the member for Wanganui to support the clause.