THEATRE SEATS.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 17017, 14 December 1920, Page 8

THEATRE SEATS.

» THE GAiLERY PBOBLEM. A special report on the -proposal to Improve the seating accommodation in the gallery at the Theatre Royal was presented by the By-laws Committee to the City Council last night. The report stated that the committee had given the matter further consideration, and had written to the lessees of the theatre, stating that the question of comfort of patrons of the gallery had arisen, and asking if the lessees were prepared to take any action in the matter, with a view to providing more comfortable seats. A reply was received to the effect that the seating in the gallery of tho Theatre Royal was the eami as in all leading theatres, including om recently built in Auckland and thi Grand Opera House Wellington. Tin lessees further stated that all expense in connexion with tho theatrical busi ness had increased enormously of late and any further considerable expen* at the Theatre Royal would necessitat< an increase in the charges for admission, which wae not desirable, and, ii the opinion of the lessees, the patron! of the gallery would prefer the universal gallery accommodation at present provided, rather than an increase in tht cost of admission. The committee drew tho Council's attention to the 18th schedule to the Municipal Corporation Act, 1908, which set out the only conditions the Council could impose before granting a license for a building to be used for public meetings or as a theatre, etc. Cr. E. R. Cooke objected to the matter being referred to the proprietors. He could find nothing in the Act to prevent the Council from insisting on the improvements to the gallery. He contended that the gallery at present was not suitable for tiie accommodation of the public. Ho moved that the matter be referred back to the committee for further consideration. Cr. E. Langley, who seconded'said he tad. received expert advice that the gallery could be improved in the direction desired if the money was spent. As far as charges were concerned, those were going up in any event, and, according to the present practice, people were punished for going early by having to pay an extra charge. Cγ. J. A. Flesher said the Council had "no power to do what Cr. Cooke wanted. The Fire Inspector had certified to the safety of the'theatre, and the other regulations were . complied with, and the Council had no power to refuse the license pending the accept- ■ ance of conditions, as to the etyle of seating to be provided. The Council adopted the report o'f the committee. _