ROYAL PICTURE THEATRE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2044, 21 October 1919, Page 3

ROYAL PICTURE THEATRE.

COUNCIL GRANTS A LICENSE

A special meeting of the Borough Council was held last night to consider matters in connection with the granting of a license tor the. Royal Picture Theatre. There were present : The Mayor (Mr J. Chrystall), ami Crs. Parkin, Walker, Pearson, Thompson, Coley, Ram! and Bryant.

The Mayor reported that at the conclusion of last Friday’s Court proceedings a conference was held between the parties, himself, Crs Coley and Parkin representing the Council, and Messrs Hamer and Son were both present, also counsel for both -tides. No agreement was arrived at, but Messrs'- Hamer • and Son stated they would make a proposal in writing for the present meeting. He asked the Town Clerk to read these communications, which were as follows; —‘‘With reference to your letter of September 23rd relative to the granting of a license for the Royal Picture Theatre, and with reference to the conference held, we beg to submit the following request: That a license be issued immediately in accordance with Section 305 of the Municipal Corporations Act, provided the following alterations are put- in hand and completed without delay: (a) The provision of a fire escape on the south-west side of the building, similar to that provided .on the south-east side, as suggested in your letter, provided that your surveyor will not approve of the usual fire escape ladders, (b) panic bolts to be fitted to lire escape doors as soon as same can lie procured and fitted by us. The question of extra tie rods to be referred back to Mr West, and if he considers that the same are necessary for the safety of the building in view of the fact dial Hie present tie rods will withstand a strain of 100 tons, these will also be provided, though Ire assured the writer that these were not necessary. We would point out to the Council that wo are under a considerable loss every day (lie theatre is kept closed, and whilst we are submitting Ibis offer in order to reach an amicable settlement, we would point out that all the requirements of the Borough By-laws have already been complied with, and this letter is written, and this oiler is iH'ade without prejudice. Messrs Hamer and Son.further wrote: Since writing the above letter, Mr Oram has interviewed Mr-West to ascertain Ids requirements re fire escape, and he Ims rung up to inform us that as the one tire escape from the dress circle complies with the requirements of the by-laws ho considers it sufficient if we block up the entrances to the balcony. A o have, hoAvever, decided to make anolher escape on the other (west) side of the building, but until it is finished avc will fasten up the exits to die balcony. As (Ins meets with your architect's approval, (here is no further excuse for withholding the license.

The Mayor moved,.ami Cr. Parkin seconded, that a public hall temporary license be issued to Messrs W. Hamer and Son for six months fur a picture theatre immediately the work of constructing an additional lire escape on west side of building is completed as specified by Mr West, architect. The said period to he used in constructing extensions, plans for which have been submitted, and for which a permit to build will be granted, subject to reservation by our architect. Messrs Hamer and Son to tit panic slip bolls ty the various exits as soon as such bolts can be procured; the Town Clerk and the Council's appointees to have the right to enter and inspect the building at all reasonable limes.’’

At the request of Cr. Coley, Mr T. W. Hunt, who was present, was invited to explain to the Council what was being done.

Mr Hunt said that a hole had been made in 1 he side uC the building tor the (ire escape. This was a tairJ\ hard job. as they had to put. it through brick work that had been well built. The opening was 7ft. by 3A ft., with a door on to' a staging leading down to the ground. Two extra lie rods were ordered, and would be pul in position. This matter had been referred .to the architect, and ho had agreed'with the speaker that three rods were unnecessary, and would add no more strength to the Avails than two. The Mayor said he thought the Council would be very wise in taking the course proposed in the motion, They had had experience of litigation, and didn’t get on very well. If they did not compromise in this matter no doubt there would be litigation. and in that ca.-e even it I be Council won I ho case, Avhich lie had. no doubt they would do, they would still bo out of pocket, as the costs allowed would not near cover their legal expenses. The last case thg Council had cost them £l2O. Ife didn’t know who won in t ( hat ca£e, and hadn’t been able to find out. He thought it would be wise to come to an agreement without litigation if it was at all possible. Cr. Walker said he was entirely in accord with the Mayor in trying to settle the dispute without going to the Supreme Court. Cr. Thompson said he would support the motion. He didn’t Avant to see Messrs' Hamer and Son’s business held np, at the same time they must see that the laws were complied Avith, and every effort should be made to come to an amicable arrangement. Cr. Bryant said he did not see„thc object of granting a temporary license for six months. Grant the license to the end of the year, when all licenses expired; that would give

ample lime for the' arehileel/’s recommendations to be curried out. The Mayor said if they issued it for six mouths it would give Messrs Hamer and Son time to carry out the extensions to thedmilding, a permit for which was being granted. They should inakc the issue of the license conditional on these eVtensions being carried out. These extensions would cover up what - the Council considers are breaches of the by-laws. * , Cr. Bryant said he would favour granting a license to the end of the yea r.

Mr Hunt said that the by-laws only provided that the side walls should be of brick.

The Mayor said that all dividing walls must be brick. The plans submitted provided for a full brick wall at the back, and the wall erected was partly wood and iron. This Avas a broach of the by-laws. Mr Hunt said be considered the Mayor Avas quite wrong. As long as the side Avails Avere of brick they could 'not compel anyone to put in a brick Avail at the back. This had hot been done in oilier buildings in the brick area, and the Council should not try and make tlesh of one and fish of the other.

The Mayor: We want to make it a condition that the extensions must he gone on Avith. Crs. Bryant and Coley said they did not think the Council could compel Messrs Hamer and Eon to make the extensions. They Avould favour granting the license to -the end of the year. Cr. Rand said (lie by-laws only mentioned side Avails. There Avas nothing about front or back Avails. The motion avus altered to read that the temporary license he granted unlit the end of the year, instead of for a period of six ■months, and as amended Avas carried unanimously.