PICTURE THEATRE AT BRYNDWR

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27739, 17 August 1955, Page 10

PICTURE THEATRE AT BRYNDWR

REFUSAL OF LICENCE MINISTER COMMENTS ON PROCEDURE There was no right of appeal against the decision of the Chief Inspector of Films (Mr S. J. Peryman) refusing to allow a new picture theatre in Bryndwr, the Minister of Internal Abairs (Mr S. W. Smjth) said in answer tp ap inquiry by “The Press.” No procedure was laid down in the regulations to be follpwed by the Ucensipg officer in conducting an investigation, the Minister saia. His function, was a quasi-judicial one, and he was free to seek information likely to be of use to him from any source. He was at liberty to consult the Motion Picture Exhibitors’ Association in V>y particular case, but wag not obliged to do so. The decision of the Building Controller to approve the project for building the theatre would be reached pn grounds quite other than those which the licensing officer was en “ titled to take account of whew considering, an application for an exhibitor’s licence, the Minister continued. In any case, production of evidence of approval by the Building Controller was required by the licensing officer as part of tqe procedure involved in submitting an application for an exhibitor’s licence. There were no abnormal features of the Bryndwr application which distinguished it from numerous others of its type which had been dealt with Sl p c e the Cinematograph Films (Issue Inhibitors’ Licences) Regulations, 1937, were introduced, and which had been rejected for similar reasons. a large block in Bryndwr was subdivided for housing by the Lands aua Survey Department a section of 23.1 perches was set aside, and its sale was conditional on the purchaser obtaining an exhibitor’s licence and a permit to build a theatre. The building permit was obtained, and the project had. the approval of the Building Controller and the Waimairi County Council before Mr Peryman rejected the application.