Kinematograph year book : 1931 (1931)

145 The Kinematograph Year Booh. Gas Meters. Cases have arisen with regard to interfering with gas meters in theatres, and it should be borne in mind that under Clause 15 of the 1871 Gasworks Clauses Act " no consumer shall connect any meter with any pipe through which gas is supplied by the undertakers to such meter or disconnect any meter from any pipe unless he shall have given to the undertakers not less than twenty-four hours' notice in writing of his intention so to do, and if any person acts in contravention of this section he shall be liable for each conviction to a penalty not exceeding 40s." It will be noticed that the notice must be given in writing and, therefore, a mere verbal notice would not comply with the statute and would not release any person who might disconnect or interfere with the meter should proceedings be taken against him. Sunday Opening. One does feel that the opinion as regards the opening of kinemas on Sundays is becoming more favourable, and I cannot understand why there is still so rnuch feeling by a certain section of the community to the opening of kinemas on Sunday. It must be realised that there is a certain class of the community which must rely for its recreation and relaxation on Sundays on public facilities, and one fails to see how any better public facilities can be obtained than that obtained by means of the kinema. In view, however, of the opposition which still exists, one would advise exhibitors to make a point of attending on the annual licensing day in case any objection shovild be raised to the licence being renewed for Sundays, or other objection taken, so that they can be in a position either to ask for the application to be adjourned in order to enable them to be represented, or, alternatively, they themselves to appear in support of the application. It might be pointed out that the illegality under the Sunday Observance Act is not the opening of the kinema on Sundays, but the charge for admission. With regard to the London County Council and the amount payable to charities, slight changes have been made in the rules affecting the submission of accounts in respect of charity payments from Sunday performances. Rule 180, which deals with the matter, now reads as follows : — " 180. — The rule now provides that a statement, certified by an independent auditor possessing professional qualifications, showing in detail receipts and expenses in connection with kinematograph entertainments held on Sundays, Christmas Day and Good Friday during a period of 12 months, or during such period as may be prescribed, shall be submitted to the Council ; that the statement shall show the actual receipts, including those from sales of chocolates, programmes, or from any other source, and, as far as possible, the actual expenses incurred in connection with the entertainments ; that in the case of rent, rates and other admissible items of expenditure, in respect of which the actual expenditure on Sundays, etc., is not ascertainable, the expenses shall be calculated as one-seventh of the total expenditure during the period for week-days and Sundays on the item concerned ; that if the leasehold or the freehold of the premises is held by the licensee, one-seventh of the ' gross value ' of the premises for rating purposes shall be included in lieu of rent ; and that overhead charges of the nature of fees and payments, including those in respect of services rendered, to licensees and directors and/or licensees' and directors' wives, capital expenditure, rent of ' effects ' {e.g., furniture, machinery, fittings, etc., and apparatus other than talking picture apparatus), bank interest, debenture interest, depreciation of lease, secretary's salary, office expenses, interest on mortgage and legal expenses, shall not be admitted as chargeable as expenses."