SUNDAY CINEMA

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18392, 28 July 1931, Page 7

SUNDAY CINEMA

INFORMER AWARDED £6OOO. APPEAL LIKELY. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. LONDON, July 20. •Milly Orpen, a law clerk, was awarded £SOOO damages under the Lord’s Day Observance Act, 1871, as a .common informer against three cinemas showing on Sundays. It is expected that there will be an appeal under the Remission of Penalties Act. Though Miss Orpen was awarded damages and costs as an informer against the company owning the cinemas in respect of Sunday openings, another action against the directors failed. The damages claimed totalled £25,000. The judge mentioned Miss Orpen was a clerk to a solicitor named Cohen, who carries on business under the name of Jacques, Asquith, and Jacques. Miss Orpen was named Oppenheimer until two days before the action, when she changed her name on the deed poll, as Orpen might more colourably come forward as the champion of the English Sunday. No claim could come to Court in less attractive circumstances, tout the Courts were out to enforce the Act, and not perversely seek a way out if such did not exist.

Lobbyists point out that the Sunday Entertainment Bill now before the Parliamentary Standing Committee abolishes the power to sue as a common informer. An attempt is being made to apply this abolition even to actions decided against before the passage of the bill.