NEW ZEALAND THEATRES SAFE

Evening Star, Issue 19454, 12 January 1927, Page 11

NEW ZEALAND THEATRES SAFE

PICTURE MANAGER’S ASSURANCE

[Special to the ‘ Stab. 1 ]

CHRISTCHURCH, January 11. In view of the tragic nature of the Montreal Theatre fire, the ‘ Sun ’ today aproached Mr Haigh, manager of the Crystal Palace Theatre, and a man prominent in motion picture affairs in New Zeland, with regard to the possibilities of a similar occurrence in this country and the facilties provided in dominion theatres to combat outbreaks of fire.

“ The theatres in Now Zealand are well equipped with fire-fighting appliances of the latest and most efficient design,” said Mr Haigh. “ The operating boxes are absolutely fireproof, and all possess automatic safety devices (working independently of the operator), which close the openings m the box with steel shutters. These shutters are foolproof, and it is impossible for them not to function. Ample emergency exits are provided in all theatres, especially those in the centres. The Crystal Palace can empty a full house in two minutes, so the risk of danger by fire is reduced to a minimum.”

Mr Haig referred generally to fire equipment in the dominion theatres, all of which, under Government regulations, were required to provide every protection against fire. The majority of tho theatres were fitted with chemical fire extinguishers in easily accessible positions, and with stand pipes and reels of fire hose. In most of the big towns there were firemen on duty at theatres during sessions. When in Montreal last year Mr Haigh was conducted ou a tour of inrepetition through several of the large motion picture theatres in that city, all of which he visited during active sessions. He noted with interest the peculiarity of the French-Canadian people, and he could imagine (he said) the panic that would break out in such circumstances in an audience composed of these people, who, being of French extraction, were liable to do anything anywhere and at any time.