NRS-15318 | Files relating to licences for theatres and public halls

Full description

This series relates to licence applications and renewals for theatres and public halls. The regulation of premises for public entertainment and meetings can be traced back to early legislation in 1828, the Public Exhibition and Entertainment Act (9 Geo IV, Act No. 14). However, the Theatres and Public Halls Act, 1908 (No. 13, 1908) provides the contemporary legislative framework for the issue of such licences.

The series documents the administration of activities in relation to the licensing of premises used for public entertainment and public meetings. These activities primarily are concerned with the approval of building plans and specifications; building inspections of new premises, as well as licensed buildings at regular intervals; correspondence with various bodies and individuals in aspects of public safety, such as the Board of Fire Commissioners and the Police Department; as well as the provision of technical advise relating to legislative and departmental licensing requirements.

These files contain varied material relating to the licensing process, including correspondence, notices, inspection reports, breach notices, payment slips, proposal reports, memoranda to authorised persons or bodies, licence renewal certificates, computer reports and photographs. Some miscellaneous files have been retained as they were originally created as part of the series. For example, file number 81/0336 relates to the registration of film producers.

The system of file numbering changes. Early files are arranged numerically by licence number. Later files are arranged according to a registration system of annual sequential numbering in which file numbers are constructed with a two digit prefix representing the year in which the file was created, followed by an oblique stroke and the file number; for example, file number 80/2 represents the second file created in 1980. File contents, both original and copies are arranged chronologically by date received or sent.