THEATRE FIREMEN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 227, 25 September 1935, Page 7

THEATRE FIREMEN.

DUAL POSITION.

FIRE BOARD DISCUSSION.

LICENSING OF MANAGERS. The work of firemen in picture theatres was discussed at a meeting of the Auckland Fire Board to-day. The board had before it a report, which it had called for, from the superintendent, Mr. W. L. Wilson. Up to 1932, theatre firemen were employed by the board and the expenditure was recovered from the theatres. Since then the men have been employed by the theatres. They are approved by the board as firemen, but are also employed on other duties by the theatres, . usually as ticket - collectors. They are required to draw the attention of the theatre managers to any breach of the regulations, and if the matter is not attended to they are then required to report it to inspecting officers of thi board or the City Council.

Mr. Wilson reported that the theatres were visited regularly by officers of the board, and the firemen's log-books examined, and inspecting officers of the traffic department of the City Council also made periodical visits. While such co-operation was secured, the possibility of any irregularity escaping notice was remote. The "panic drills," in which the theatre staffs generally took part, were also functioning satisfactorily. He concluded his report as follows: —

"The responsibility for the observance of the by-laws is in the hands of the theatre managers, and I am of the opinion that if each manager were licensed, and if for a breach of the overcrowding or blocking of cxitways regulations such licenses were subject to endorsement or cancellation, this would .act as a deterrent, and possibly eliminate entirely this recurring trouble."

The chairman, Mr. J. J. Kingston, remarked that employees seemed to be in an invidious position.

Mr. Wilson said that under the old system eight cases of overcrowding had been reported from 1930 to 1032. Under the new system there had been eleven cases from 1032 to 1935. He contended that an employer must give some logical reason for dismissing a man.

Mr. Martin: Not necessarily. He can say the inan is unsatisfactory.

Mr. Martin said there had been com plaints.

Mr. Wilson: I have had no instances of that.

Mr. Martin said he had been associated with such things long enough to know that he must be prepared to back up his statements, and he was prepared to do so. Specific ease*; had been mentioned of employees being intimidated in carrying out their duties as firemen.

Mr. Kingston remarked that on the one hand the men were liable to the board it they did not do their duty, and on the other they were answerable to their employers. It was a pity tllat tho managers were not licensed.

The board decided to draw the attention of the managers and firemen to their obligations, particularly as regards overcrowding.