RISK OF FIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 97, 24 April 1936, Page 20

RISK OF FIRE.

AMUSEMENT PLACES.

OFFICERS MUST ATTEND.

SPORTS BODIES AFFECTED.

In accordance with a city by-law providing for the attendance of firemen at theatres and other places of amusement capable of seating 500 or more people, sports bodies in future will have to arrange "or firemen to be on duty in their stands. A circular letter directing attention to the provisions of the bylaw has been sent out in connection with the matter by the Auckland City Council, and already the Rugby League authorities have made application for the attendance of a fireman at Carlaw Park. In the past the by-law has been inoperative as regards sports bodies, but firemen approved by the superintendent of the Auckland Fire Brigade have been on duty in theatres.

From May 1 firemen will be supplied for all purposes directly by the Auckland Metropolitan Fire Board. This is in accordance with a decision reached at the last meeting of the Auckland City Council, which adopted a report submitted by the town clerk, Mr. J. S. Brigham. The council rejected a proposal advanced by nine theatre representatives that the fire brigade department should be asked to issue certificates of proficiency to a male member of each theatre staff who qualified, and also that regular panic drills should be carried out by theatre staffs. It was the practice to have firemen supplied by the Fire Board until an amendment in 1932 enabled the council to allow theatre proprietors to provide, at their own cost, firemen approved by the superintendent of the brigade, stated Mr. Brigham. None of the current licenses, however, had included in tlie:r conditions permission for approved firemen. Thus an amendment of the bylaw was not necessary, and the council required merely to call upon proprietors to obtain the services of firemen from the Fire Board.

The procedure as outlined is now being adopted, and the council's decision to enforce the by-law is calculated to provent over-crowding at places of amusement.