FIREMEN AT THEATRES.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15699, 19 September 1916, Page 4

FIREMEN AT THEATRES.

OBJECTIONS BY PICTURE

MANAGERS.

DEPUTATION TO FIRE BOARD

A deputation connected with the picture theatre business, comprising Meesr s C. "W. Hcrvey, H. "Waters, J. A. Frost, and E. J. l'egg, waited upon the Christchurch Fire Board last night, and protested against the compulsory presence of firemen in picture theatres.

Mr Hervey said he had been asked to briug before the Board the question of the attendance of firemen a t the picture theatres. The theatres had received their licenses on condition that <;hey had firemen in attendance. Tho theatres had been built to guard absolutely against lire. The deputation submitted that the only place where a «tire could occur was iu tne operatingbox which was absolutely shut off from the rest of. the place. Jt a fire occurred in the operating-box, the operator had the means of shutting off tne fire, and tho fireman in attendance would not be allowed to enter the box, but would simply be employed in showing the audience the means of exit. So far as he (Mr Hervey) could understand, no fire had occurred in an operatingbox in Christchurch. Picture theatre managers were of opinion that there were time« when the attendance of a fireman wn, not necessary at a.theatre; in fact, the fireman simply became a spectator, he not being allowed to take tickets or do any work. In Auckland and Dunedin there were no firemen in attendance at the picture theatres during the day at' all: in "Wellington the firemen acted as doorkeepers. The deputation submitted that if firemen were essential for the public safety at picture theatres, they should likewise- be in attendance at large commercial establishments. The picture people should also have, been consulted in reference to the raising of firemen's salaries. Mr Waters said it was rather hard that the picture companies had to pay the firemen, though they had no power to dismiss them. The picture companies were compelled to have fireproof boxe6. and they possessed every possible means of putting out a fire.

In reply to Mr "W. H. Cooper, Mr Hcrvey said no firemen were present at tho picture theatres from 0.30 to 6.30 p.m., and this was generally a busy hour.

In further reply to Mr Cooper, Mr Hervey said that if a fireman got into an operating-box when a fire broko out in it, the flames would havo an'opportunity of escaping into the auditorium. Mr Waters said if a film caught fire, nothing would stop it, and' the film would burn out in a very short while. If the .door of the operating-box were opened, the neople would see the flames aad there might be a panic. Mr Frost stated that the automatic shutter closed almost instantaneously, and the people would not see even a glare. Tho donntation then withdrew. Upon tho motion of the chairman, the Board held the matter over until its next meeting, the secretary "being instructed in the meantime to secure information from other centres.