THEATRE QUEUES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18898, 26 June 1923, Page 7

THEATRE QUEUES.

NEW REGULATION IN CHRISTCHURCH. (From Odb Own Cobeespondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, June 25. ' The danger of theatre queues projecting at right angles across the street from the entrances to a building has at last ’ been officially recognised. 'The by-laws committee reported to the City Council to-night that the attention of the committee had been drawn by several accidents which had occurred through queues blocking the footpath and roadway, especially in front of Theatre Royal. The committee had instructed the chief inspector to notify the lessees of the several theatres that if queues were formed they must be on the roadway alongside the korbing and the lessees must provide an attendant to see that the regulation was given effect to or pay for the services of one of the city inspectors to do the work. If the regulation was not complied with the committee- would consider the question of amending the city bylaws to provide for theatres being opened at 6 p.m.. Cr Archer said it was wrong that the council should lend the streets free of charge to theatre proprietors for use as waiting rooms. Such waiting rooms should be provided by the theatre people. Many of those who at present were forced to wait in queue never got into the theatre at all for the' building was filled up with higher priced patrons. The theatre doors should be opened much earlier than at present. Ur M'Cembs moved that the clause be referred back to the committee in order that action might be taken for the protection of the public. The motion was seconded by Cr Clyde Carr, who said that abuses were creeping in, especially in the matter of the openingof early doors. The queue system should be done away with altogether, and the theatres should be opened earlier. Cr Cooke said it was an infernal shame that such accommodation as that provided in the gallery of the Theatre Royal fehould bo provided. The committee should review the whole matter of the admission of the public, and poorer people, to the theatres. The proposal to refer the matter back was lost by nine votes to six, and the clause was adopted.