AS THEY WERE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 251, 23 October 1935, Page 9

AS THEY WERE.

THEATRE FIREMEN. NOTICE OF BY-LAW CHANGE. REVERTING TO OLI> SYSTEM. The position of theatre firemen, who are also members of the theatre staffs, was again discussed at a meeting of the Auckland Metropolitan Fire Board today. Tbs town clerk, Auckland, advised that the City Council had resolved to change the by-laws so as to require proprietors of buildings with seating accommodation exceeding 500 to obtain firemen from the Fire Board. It would be eome little time before the by-law

was passed. The chairman, Mr. J. J. Kingston, said they would remember that the secretary had been instructed to circularise the theatre managers and men regarding their duties, but when the town clerk's letter came to hand he authorised the secretary not to send out the circular. The letter meant that they would revert to the old position. The proprietors of some of the small theatres might feel it a hardship. The by-law would apply only to city theatres, so they would have two methods of control.

The secretary, Mr. P. Butter, said there were 25 theatres in the city.

Mr. B. Martin said the City Council was not satisfied ■ with the position. There had been evidence of ?ome employers using their position to interfere ■with the duties of the men as firemen. If necessary, the City Council would probably prohibit firemen from being members of the theatre staffs.

Mr. Kingston: Well, we can only wait till the by-law becomes operative.