ICE CREAM IN THEATRES

Hutt News, Volume 19, Issue 22, 31 October 1945, Page 7

ICE CREAM IN THEATRES

PROPOSAL TO PROHIBIT A proposal to prohibit the sale of ice cream in theatres will be brought before the next conference of the Municipal Association in the form of a remit by the Petone Borough Council. This action was decided after lengthy correspondence from the Medical Officer of Health (Dr. H. Smith) had been discussed. Dr. Smith in an earlier letter, j had stated that although sale of ice : cream in theatres was contrary to the Health Regulations and might, also lead to a breach of the regulation affecting the refreezing of melted and unsold ice-cream, no powers were exercised on the consumption of ice cream in picture houses. His own views were that the sale of ice cream outside the refreshment bar should be stopped, and an attempt should be made to reduce the consumption of ice cream in the body of the theatre. Through eating ice cream in theatres, daubs of cream fell all over the floor and seats, and dripping, incompletely emptied cartons were left under the seats.

"People who want ice creams should be encouraged to buy and eat them at the refreshment booth," wrote Dr. Smith. If the hawking of ice creams inside the< theatres by boys were stopped, the consumption of ice creams in theatres, he thought, would be reduced. Hawking could then be limited to othe edibles which were not so "messy." After considering this letter at a previous meeting, the council replied that a national prohibition should be introduced. If a bylaw prohibiting the consumption of ice cream were enforced by a counrii it would probably become unpopular. Cr. Carr: This is a case of a higher "passing the buck." Cr. London said he did not see why Petone should' have to start the matter. There were too many regu lations to-day. Cr. Macfarlane said that leaving empty soft drink bottles on the floor would be a menace in an emergency. Ice cream from outside shops taken into the theatre was liable to contamination. Cartons thrown on the floor did make a mess.

The Mayor said that someone hat. to take the first step, and on his motion it was agreed that the remit Crom this council be sent to the Municipal Association.