FIREMEN ON THEATRE DUTY

Taranaki Daily News, 5 September 1930, Page 7

FIREMEN ON THEATRE DUTY

VALIDITY OF BY-LAW IMPEACHED

IMPORTANT QUESTION IN COURT, gy Telegraph.—Press Association. Wairoa, Last Night. A. case of much interest to picture proprietors was heard in the Magistrates Court here this afternoon, when the Wairoa Borough Council proceeded against the Wairoa Amusements Company For a breach of a by-law requiring theatres to employ firemen at a charge of 3s 4d per evening performance. , , Mr. Chamberlain, for the,'Council, said the by-law was similar to those of many other local bodies and was within the terms of the Municipal Corporations A< Mr. Barnard, for the defence submitted that the Fire Brigades Act removed the power of making a by-law providing against danger of fire and constituted the Fire Board as the sole authority with power to make by-laws providing against fire. The presence of a fireman was useless to prevent fire, and danger of panic was best provided against by the theatre staff having control. The introduction of a fireman merely meant dual contiol. Mr. Harper, S.M.. said the case was of much importance and icseived his decision.