THEATRICAL FIRM’S BREACH OF FAITH

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6851, 5 March 1929, Page 6

THEATRICAL FIRM’S BREACH OF FAITH

Deplored by Council

NUMBERING OF SEATS TO PREVENT RECURRENCE

LETTEE OF PROTEST,

Indignation expressed at tho attitudo of J. C. Williamson Did. in keeping a long queue of pit patrons waiting at tho Opera house recently, when there were practically no -pit seats available, found an echo at the Palmerston North Borough council meeting last evening when, after much discussion, it was deto draw tho attention of the Opera house lessees to what happened and to have all the seats numbered in an endeavour to prevent a recurrence. Tho matter was introduced when a letter was read from Palmerston Pictures Ltd., the lessees, who apP for permission to open a central booking office in Broadway. It was explained the office would bo used for nothing else than the booking of seats for the picture entertainment and Opera house performances. Reference to tho Opera House gave Cr. Mansford the opportunity to protest against the action of the company. Ho suggested that a good deal of the trouble experienced would be alleviated if all the scats were numbered and sold according to number. He understood other places had adopted that P lan - Cr W. L. Fitzherbert thought that some action should bo taken It was a shame that a number of people should wait a wholo day and thon get no seats. He suggested writing to tho manager, conveying the Borough council’s disapproval of his business methods. He added that ten ladies had relayed all day, only to discover that the first person in, by taking six tickets, had taken up all the available seats. Had a notico been displayed, stating that no pit seats would be available, the people would not have waited nor minded. Ho moved that the lessees bo written to in protest. Cr M. A. Eliott added his disapproval of what had happened and agreed that tho numbering of the seats would be a move in tho right direction. Cr. Mansford’s suggestion was then added to Cr. Fitzherbert's motion. Cr. G. Tremaine remarked that it what Cr. Fitzherbert had said was true, then there had been a breach of the lease. , „ The Mayor stated that the Picture Supplies people were very much concerned about what had happened and they were going to tuke the matter up with J. C. Williamson Ltd. Cr. Tremaine observed that the council should see that the seats that had to be left open according to the lease, should be left open. Cr. C. N. Clausen regretted that the J. C. Williamson management had broken faith with its pit patrons. The council could not prosecute. Tho Mayor remarked that tho onus lay with the Picture Supplies people, who leased the Opera house, to see that tho lease was complied with. He understood they were moving in the matter. Tho remedy, however, really lay with the public, who should refuse to pay more than tho advertised price. Cr. Mansford. Some people would pay 8s or 9s to sit on the steps upstairs. Cr. Fitzherbert’s motion was carried.

Regarding tho request to open a booking office in Broadway,. Cr. Hodgens moved that the application be refused. The council had not so very long ago removed the booking office from private premises to tho Opera house and now it was proposed to shift it away again. Cr. Milverton seconded. Cr. FitzheTbert saw no objection, to tho office going to Broadway, which was more convenient.

Crs. Tromaine and Clausen support ed tho change, which was agreed to.