PROTECTION FROM FIRE

Taranaki Daily News, 9 February 1928, Page 11

PROTECTION FROM FIRE

FIREMEN AT PUBLIC HALLS. WAITARA BOROUGH DISCUSSION. Mr. D. George, secretary of the Theatre Royal Company, wrote to the Waitara Borough Council last night, returning the license sent to him, as ho considered that clause 3, which made compulsory the attendance of firemen at all performances and debarred the theatre fiom being opened without the presence of firemen, Was objectionable and unworkable. Cr. Hine considered that the clause as outlined in the license was a monstrous one. He pointed out that the fire brigade had only to refrain from attending the theatre to prevent the place from being opened. He objected to the council’s solicitors dictating the policy of the council. In reply to a question, the clerk stated that there was a question as to the wording, and he had asked the solicitor (Mr. Prichard) to draft the clause. Cr. Hine understood there was no such tag on the Clifton Hall license, and he did not think they should make fish of one and flesh of another. They had the certificate in the council office, signed by the borough overseer, to the efl oct that all the requirements of the fire board’s officer had been met, and in that case they had no option but to issue the license. He moved that the clause referred to be replaced by . the following: “Provided that when the theatre is open to tho public, the licensee shall, at the request of the fire brigade superintendent and at his discretion, permit a fireman or firemen to be present.” This was seconded by Cr. Spurdie. Cr. Ewens considered that it was monstrous that Cr. Spurdie, who was chairman of the Fire Board, should turn down the conditions recommended by the superintendent of the brigade. AH over the Dominion the presence of firemen at such places was deemed necessary. He objected to the statement that the solicitors were dictating to the council. After receiving the brigade superintendent’s report the council had obtained advice from the solicitors as to the course to pursue and had acted accordingly. The clause was a condition of the superintendent’s report, and it the council went back on it they would, he considered, be doing an illegal act. Cr. Taylor, with 25 years’ experience of fire brigades, had always seen brigades send firemen to places of amusement to protect the women and children. Cr. Spurdie emphatically denied that he had gone back on the brigade superintendent, in whom he had every confidence. . _ . The Mayor stated that he was agreeable to the presence of firemen at the theatre, but he objected to the wording of the clause in the license. .... Other councillors expressed similar views, and the motion was carried, Crs. Ewens and Taylor voting against it, whilst Cr. Wakeley did not vote.