Kinematograph year book (1950)

584 The Kinematograph Year Book. performers are under sixteen and are scholars or ex-scholars of the school or institution. In the case of a charity performance where the whole of the expenses are deducted, but do not exceed 20 per cent, of the receipts, the duty is repaid to the proprietor. Any officer of excise authorised to do so may enter a place of entertainment and any person who prevents or obstructs him is liable to a fine up to £20. The Commissioners can make regulations, any breach of which entails an excise penalty of £50, and they may make arrangements whereby the local authority (county, borough, or urban district council), or the police may exercise all or any of the powers of the Commissioners as to this duty. The law is contained in the Finance (New Duties) Act, 1916, ss. 1 and 2, and the Finance Act, 1916, 2. 12. Transit by Rail. Railway Regulations in regard to Film Boxes. — The specification of the Railway Clearing House of the type of metal boxes required by the Railway Companies to be used for the transit of films is as follows : Boxes must be rectangular, wood-lined cases, to hold not more than six films and measure not more than 145 inches outside either way. They must be made of galvanised iron of not less thickness than .022 of an inch (No. 25 b.g.) for the small one and two film cases, and not less than .028 of an inch (No. 23 b.g.) for the larger sizes (three to six film cases). All the corners of the sides and bottom must be strengthened by folding seams, the top of the body having wired edges turned inwards. The hinge lid must be turned down all round for a depth of one and a quarter inches. It must fit over the body of the case and have wired edges turned outwards. It must be attached to the body by two strong hinges, firmly riveted to both body and lid, and fastened by stout wire hasps fitting over iron staples riveted to the front of the case. Each hasp and staple must be locked, either by padlock or by a spring safety hook, permanently to the staple by a short length of stout chain. Cases for one and two films need only have one clasp and staple fastening ; other sizes must have two. Other conditions are that a thin metal label frame, open at the top, must be riveted to the case in such a position that the top edge of the label frame is covered by the lid when closed ; all the boxes must be completely lined with plain wood of half-inch thickness fastened by rivets to the lid and body of the case; the following words must be painted in black on the lid : " Cinema Films," in oneinch block letters, and " Keep in a cool place," in letters five-eighths of an inch depth. No other lettering must appear on the lid. The name and address of the owners may be painted on the sides or ends, and the cases must be unpainted. OTHER LEGISLATION IN BRIEF Sunday Observance Act, 1781. — Any house opened for Public amusement or debate on a Sunday to which persons shall be admitted by payment of money shall be deemed a Disorderly House — Penalty £200 for every Sunday opened. (Note) — If a reasonable number of persons are admitted free there is no offence under the Act in making a charge for a reserved seat ; it will be noted that the Act speaks of admission, not to a seat, but to the entertainment. (See Sunday Entertainments Act, 1932.) Revenue and the National Debt and to make further provision in connection with finance. Children and Young Persons Act, 1933. — A child under 14 may not take part in any entertainment in connection with which any charge is made to the audience except under a licence granted by the local education authority. The licence may be granted only if the child has attained the age of 12 years and the authority must be satisfied that the child is fit to take part in the entertainment. New Regulation Under Cinematograph Act, 1909 — 1923. — Exhibitors should always keep a copy of these regulations by them as they take the place of the previous regulations dated 18th February, 1910, and 20th May, 1913. Finance Act, 1920. — This was an Act passed to grant certain duties to Customs and Inland Revenue, to alter other duties, and to amend the law relating to Customs and Inland The Entertainments Duty Regulations, 1921, are regulations made by the Commissioner of Customs and Excise under Section 2 of the Finance New Duties Act, 1916, for securing the payment of Entertainments Duty. The points to be noted are that the price of admission must be printed on the tickets. Adhesive stamps are not to be issued except upon the tickets. No tickets other than stamped tickets to be issued on payment made for admission. Tickets and stamps to be issued undefaced and defaced subsequently.