Page 33 - CR-90

21 September 1927: The place has never been
Above: The Palais c. 2012 Operating as Palais Royal Bingo Centre demanded. ie. 3 years of back registration”.
Lawson was a partner with Tudehope and
Coppard, House and Land Sales of Arlington
Chambers, 243 Collins Street. He was signing
for Tudehope Butcher and Lawson. There are
other examples of theatres where an architect
has more than just the design interest.
The building must have been given informal
permission by Health to open (common
practice), but Health becomes impatient about
whether the owners are completing the
checklist of requirements to be given the
official registration on 8 November 1926:
“Use of above without the Commission’s
formal approval cannot be allowed to
continue indefinitely. At an early date notify
the Department as to the date by which the
building will be completed and ready for a
final inspection”.
A reply by Manager J. Moore on
24 November 1926. In later correspondence
he is identified as theatre manager for the
Palais Royale Cafe and Concert Hall Coy.,
Geelong. Howard R. Lawson (architect) of Above: Original light fitting.
Darling Street, South Yarra, is the Managing
Director.
Plans of 7 January 1927 show the bio in the
balcony.
Report by Health, letter 28 June 1927:
“On Sat 26 March, house 68 % full (63% in
hall downstairs and 73% in Gallery), with
dancing and some tobacco smoking going on.
Tests showed that standards (for CO2 and
moisture) were fulfilled on average, but
Gallery had high CO2 and very high moisture
content - more tests required”.
This suggests that it was dancing on Saturday
night. The Palais somehow juggled film and
dancing on the same night but, by 1930,
Health is of the view that it is films only on
Saturday night and dancing on the other
nights. How many other nights are not stated.
registered as a public building, (presumably
after numerous warnings, but those warnings
are not on file). A summons is issued.
Strangely, no follow up on file until 1929.
2 August 1929: Palais used for roller skating.
Question to Health: “Is it necessary to have
firemen in attendance other than on picture
nights?” Health response - “No”.
Health now gets antsy about the non-
registration:
2 October 1929: “…Wasn't registered for two
years and opened without written approval of
the Commissioner of Public Health”. Health
also catches them out on a film night when an
inspection finds that the operator is unlicensed
and also has a 16-year old assistant without
papers. They apparently decide enough is
enough: “Registration fee of 15 pounds is
9 February 1930: Reply to Health: “Owing to
the Depression and lack of business it is
necessary for the Palais Royale Cafe and
Concert Hall (Geelong) Pty. Ltd. to
endeavour to meet its accounts in as practical
way as possible. Trusting that you will see
your way clear to accept payments at the rate
of one pound per week”. Health didn't: “Pay
up in seven days”.
12 March 1930: District Health Officer
Western District, George Cole, informs
Health that a Miss Cosgrove of Dysart
Boarding House, which backs on to the
theatre, says that the testing of talkie
equipment continues into the late hours after
the evening performance - even up to 4.00 am.
Her boarders can't sleep and she is losing
business. Health says that they have no
authority to intervene, it is a civil matter.
5 April 1940: The finding in the court case
over non-registered building and operators is:
Below: Empty upstairs balcony area.
CINEMARECORD # 90 33