HIGH PERCENTAGE
SAFE PICTURE THEATRES
EARTHQUAKE RESISTANCE p.A. WELLINGTON, May 18. The opinion that 85 per cent, of picture theatres in New Zealand would be able to stand a major earthquake was expressed by Mr R. Girling-But-cher, late chief inspector of films during a cross-examination to-day at the parliamentary inquiry into the motion picture industry. He was replying to a question by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr Nordmeyer, .about safety provisions in theatres. “Are you satisfied in your own mind that major theatres are reasonably safe asked the Minister. Mr Girling-Butcher: In most cases, yes. The Minister: That,means, m some cases, no. Mr Girling-Butcher: That is so. The Minister: Most of your inspection of theatres has been in connection wit' fire risk. Would you express an opinion as to how they would stand up to a major earthquake. Mr Girling-Butcher said that 90 per cent of them would be satisfactory. All theatres-altered since 1931 had been required to put in earthquake resisting construction. Only some had been altered in the South Island, but more had been altered in the North Island. Eighty-five per cent, of theatres would stand a No. 9 earthquake on the RossiForrel scale, but he could not say what the position would be in regard to a No. 10 earthquake.
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Bibliographic details
Otago Daily Times, Issue 26775, 19 May 1948, Page 6
Word Count
215HIGH PERCENTAGE Otago Daily Times, Issue 26775, 19 May 1948, Page 6
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