EARLY DOORS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8733, 15 May 1914, Page 5

EARLY DOORS

CITY COUNCIL'S DECISION. ADMISSION HALF-AN-HOUR BEFORE PERFORMANCE. Considerable discussion took place the City Council meeting last evening on the following recommendation by the by-laws committee: — . city solicitor bo instructed to drain a by-law to contain provision to compel proprietors of places of public amusement to open the ordinary doors of theatres, etc., at least linlf-an-lioim before tho performance commences. . . Tin moving tho adoption of -this abuiso, Councillor Barber (chairman Of tho committee) said its object was to compel the proprietors of places of amusement to admit patrons without extra fee instead of keeping them waiting, possibly in the wet and cold, for half-an-hour. . , _ ... On tho ' suggestion of Councilloi Fletcher, tho phrase, “the ordinary doors,” was enlarged to ‘all the ordinary entrance doors.” , Councillor Fletchpr asked if the proposal was intended to do away with “early doors” (or early admission, b « small extra charge)? ' Councillor Barber replied that it ■was not intended to do away with them, bub to limit them to a reasonable time, i ~ , ~ Councillor Wright said ho would Kite to see the doors opened threequarters of an hour heforo tho performance. , ' , Councillor Buddie stated that early doors” applied only to certain classes of seats. Those who did not pay the extra charge had to wait outside in the rain and cold, and when they ■wont inside they found that tho best scats had been picked out. Councillor Fletcher moved to amend the recommendation so as to extend its provisions to public entertainments where no charge is made. Councillor Tregoar seconded the amendment. Councillor Barber said that a custom had como into vogue in Wellington in recent years of charging for early admission. Companies , had realised that by advertising a certain price, and then making an increased charge for “early doors,” they could secure extra revenue. It was in order to prevent that that the committee desired the now by-law. The recommendation was adopted, Councillor Fletcher's amendment being supported only by tho mover and seconder.