THE THEATRE BY-LAW.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9305, 4 August 1908, Page 1

THE THEATRE BY-LAW.

Several objections to the new Bylaw No. 4 were disclosed at last evening's meeting of the City Council when the formal motion for its confirmation was moved. . A cablegram was read from Mr J. C. Williamson, suggesting that the Council should postpone the numbering of t?oats, and try to limit the sale of tickets to the ascertained seating capacity of theatres. The police, the message added, could prevent rushes by forming a queue outside the ticket-boxes. The Christchurch Musical Union wrote, urging that the new seat-nuin- | bering by-law for theatres should not apply to the Union, as it never issued tickets in excess of the number of seats. The secretary of the Theatre Royal Company wrote, suggesting that if the proposed by-law were put into operation the greater number of patrons to> tfie gallery would not avail themselves of the privilege of booking their seats during the day, for it would remain a question of '"uret come first served." If the police formed & queue at the Theatre there would be no disorder, the queue system having worked •well in the largest towns of the world. The numbering of the pit and gallery . seats had been tried in London unsuccessfully. The, reserving of ticket? for numbered seats in the gallery would not ensure the right occupant getting his seat, a 6 the lessees would not put on the very large staff of ushers that would be required, and if the Council employed inspectors and ushers at the expense of the lessees, the latter would make ii an excuse to raise the prices of admission to that part of the house, a serious matter to the poorer class of theatregoers. The directors thought that the overcrowding difficulty would be more simply overcome if the Council insisted that not more than the proper number of tickets should be issued. A letter was received from the chairman of directors^ of His Majesty's Theatre, endorsing the letter from the Theatre Royal Company. Councillor Hall said that the Council was endeavouring to ensure that every patron of. the theatres for any seat whatever should have an opportunity of securing it without discomfort, and it would be a good thing if this could be secured, but the correspondence seemed to indicate that it would be somewhat difficult to carry out. The gallery was occupied by individuals who got the best seats they could, regardless of numbering, and he thought that if the necessary inspectors and ushers wera to be employed the expense \vo\i)d bo co»sideraWy added to, and there was nothing to prevent theatrical companies from charging 2s for the gallery, an opportunity of .vhich they would be glad. The Council should carefully consider whether it was going to attain its object, and if it was not it might as well try limiting the number of tickets sold to the seats available. Councillor Parsons said that the uumbering was worth a trial. Councillor Sorensen suggested that H\e numbering of the gallery should be abandoned. If the circle and stalls inly were numbered the greatest difficulty would be overcome. At present

some " night working John or Charlie" crushed the people up until there was no room to breathe. Numbering the seats would at least ensure a certain amount of space. Was it not a fact that certain managers hadf been pulled i up time and again for overcrowding? The Deputy-Mayor : Yes, and have laughed at us. Councillor Soreqsen added that some reform was .needed. Councillor Hyde said that he could j not gee how the gallery of the Theatre Royal could be numbered, for it was all floor. It /would be preferable that all seats should have backs, and he I would move accordingly. | On Councillor Otley's suggestion Councillor Hyde agreed to withdraw his amendment in favour of a proposal that the matter should be held over i for a fortnight. The proposal was agreed to, and it copies of correspondence on the thjafcter. " ' : • ;'".-■ ■■• 1 ' ■■ ■. i