LICENSED AT LAST!

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 157, 12 October 1910, Page 8

LICENSED AT LAST!

THE THEATRE AND ITS FIRE EXITS. ANOTHER ONE TO BE MADE. \ Yesterday was an exciting day with the Theatre Royal and the difficulties which prevented its being licensed as a public entertainment. On Monday evening the Borough Council had 'definitely decided to issue a license for the building, which had been conducted without a license since April last. The Council had passed a second resolution, too, directing the company to communicate with the Fire Board direct. The Mayor, in answer to a question, had informed the Council that as the theatre was an 'unlicensed building the company was liable to a fine on every occasion when it 'was used « From the tone of the discussion in the Council, as reported in the "News," several members of the company's directorate realised that they would be held personally responsible in the event of any accident or fatalitv sustained by any patron of the 'theatre in its unlicensed stati. With a view of bringing matters to a head, the directors held a meeting, and passed the following resolution: "That in the face of the resolution carried by the New Plymouth Borough Council last night, t'he directors very much regret that they aro compelled to close the theatre from to-day, unless the Borough Council grant a temporary permit to enable the company to carry out its present engnOTments, and that a copy of this resolution be sent to the 'Superintendent of '.he Fire Board, the Boroujh Council, and the Secretary of the Fire Brigade." The drcision caused mild consternation. The New Plymouth Fire Brigade had just abont completed its arrangements on a vei ■• elaborate scale for the annual ballon the theatre to-night, nn:l the decorating committee nearly wept when it was learned that their work was all for naught. The Superintendent of the Fire Brigade, Mr. F. C Bellringer, who is also the inspector under the Fire Board, was besieged with ' eager questioners, and the theatre directors, borough councillors, and Fire Board mem,bers all loomed large in the public eye. The manager of the local picture company telegraphed to his agents cancelling his order for a regular supply of change films. Mr. Bellringer was in an awkward fix. As an official of the Fire Board his duty was to see that the theatre was .fit for its purpose. On the other hand was the Fire Brigade, of which he was the executive officer, in danger of losing a considerable sum of money in the event of the annual ball not taking place, or of inconvenience in the event of a, change of location. All day long interviews of an informal nature were taking place, and the directors maintained the attitude that they were unable to ascertain what was required of them in order to enable the theatre to be licensed. Superintendent Bellringer, on the other hand, held that the company 'had agreed to make certain improvements, and until those were completed he could do nothing. A "News" reporter managed to be "in at the death" when the finale was reached. Superintendent Bellringer and Mr. E. Gilmour (secretary to the company), waited on Mr. Frank Messenger (the company's architect) in connection with a' suggestion that 'had been made by Mr. Bellringer for a new Are escape, in the form of a platform running from the end of the dress circle on' the eastern side of the building, over the orchestral stalls entrance, to the small landing- on the left of the proscenium, used for giving access to the stage from the auditorium. People using this means of exit would land on the stage, and' get ou't of t'he building by the large stage doors on the Egmont street side. This, Mr. Bellringer pointed out, would give the occupants of this portion of the circle a reasonable chance of escape in the event of a fire breaking out in any part of the building which would prevent their reaching the head of the main stairway. He now told Mr. Gilmour that upon beins assured that the architect had instructions to carry out this work he was prepared to waive his objections, issue a certificate, and have the license granted, ' Messrs Gilmour and Messenger both stated that this was the first time they had known that this was demanded bv the Superintendent, or wfiat his actual requirements were. The- same remark was made by Mr. W. Bewley, chairman of directors, a few minutes later, when the wfoofe party met him iit his office. Mr. Bellringer, in replying said that when hii report went before the Fire Board, he had been asked to explain what he meant by his statement that "the building is not suitable for a theatre with its present environment," and he had explained that a hall so surrounded by tea-rooms and other buildings should have this additional fire escape. It was not his fault that the Fire Board had not communicated that to the Theatre Company. Mr. Bewley authorised the secretary to give the architect instructions to carry out the work required, and he also agreed that two firemen should be. on duty whenever the theatre was used. A copy of the letter was handed' to Mr. Bellringer, who duly reported to the secretary of the Fire Board. The news of the settlement of the difficulty flashed around; the Fire Brigade ball people breathed freely; the picture gentleman telegraphed for move pictures, and both sides seemed satisfied to have won the game. Whilst the Superintendent and secretary of the Board we're in conference, the Mayor, town clerk and a few councillors were waiting at the Council Chambers to hold a special meeting in regard to the difficulty. All .the councillors but Cr. Wafckins attended the meeting. Only one or two had any idea that a settlement had been arrived at, and they kept the knowledge to themselves. A letter was received from the Theatre Company, asßing for a temporary license, and the Mayor thought this should be granted. Cr. Gilbert, who was. Una ware of how far matters had progressed, condemned I the whole business as an absolute farce, and asked why in the name of the after existence the Superintendent of the Fire Board couldn't tell the company what he wanted. He was interrupted by Cr.

F. C. Bellringer, who told liim every thing j was fixed up. and the license granted. The town ch-rk, however, said tliat no license had issued from his olliee. I Cr. Bo'llringer said that there was a| communication from the Fire Board downstairs, and so it proved. The town clerk, on returning, read the following certificate forwarded by the secretary of the Fire Board:—"Will you please notify the Borough Council that all my requirements to the theatre have been arranged for, and that I request that the license be issued under the Act, subject to tile following conditions: Two firemen to be on duty every time the theatre was opened to the public, and are to receive payment at the rate of 2s 6d each per night, and that all escapes and exits are to be opened on such occasions, and that seating accommodation in the circle be limited to 240. (Signed,) Fred. C. J. Bel'lringer, Superintendent, New Plymouth Volunteer Fire Brigade." iCr. Wilson, one of the Council's representatives on the Fire Board, said he was quite ignorant of this turn of affairs, and said that at next meeting of the Board he would probably want to know who had authorised that letter to be I sent.

Cr. Bellringer, in explanation of the letter, said "he had to carry the responsibility for this license until the completion of the work which the company had ordered to be put in hand. Cr. Gilbert remarked on the peculiarity of the position. The Council subsidise;! a Fire Board and had n preventatives on it; yet 1 % se representatives said they knew not'. :ie of what was going on. Was the.Fhe"Board run bv the Superintendent and the secretary, or had the Fire Board members a say in its business? It looked as if these'two officials constituted the Board. The -Mayor said that in cases of urgency someone 'had to act. .

_ After a little more cross-table talk, the license was granted, on the motion of Cr. Dockrill, seconded >bv the Mavor. The license is good till March 31st* next, the end of the Council's financial year.