THEATRE BURNT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 10, 12 January 1934, Page 3

THEATRE BURNT.

MILFORD "GREEN MILL" EARLY-MORNING BLAZE. COMPLETE DESTRUCTION , . Fire destroyed a Milford landmark, "The Green Mill," at the foot of Sheriff's Hill, during the early hours of this morning. The alarm was given about 12.45 a.m. by Mr. A. Cooper, whose garage is opposite "The Green Mill." Fanned by a strong wind blowing from the beach, the lire, which had apparently started at the back of the building, quickly swept through its whole length, and the- Takapuna Brigade concentrated its attention mainly on preventing the fire from spreading to the next-door house or across the road to Mr. Cooper's garage, the iron walls of which were so hot that the water eizzled into steam when the hoses were played on them. The heat was. so intense that traffic could not pass, and the crackling of the asbestos sheets which formed the upper part of the walla was heard a mile and a half away, attracting a large crowd of sj)ectators. Sparks were carried by the wind for nearly half a mile. Built as a picture theatre by Mr. A. Brown about ten years ago, "The Green Mill" covered a site of 4800 feet. The lower part of the walls was of corrugated iron, and the upper of asbestos board, and the interior was lined with wood and plaster. About five years ago "The Green Mill" was taken over by the management of the Picturedrome at Milford as a subsidiary theatre, but was later converted into a skating rink. More recently it has been used as a gymnasium by Mr. G. J. Poore, of Milford, whose apparatus was destroyed, ;ogether with some gymnasium aplaratus owned by St. Peter's Church. The building was, still furnished as a theatre. All the furniture, together with the projector apparatus, was destroyed, but the neighbouring shed, housing an engine and generator, was saved. The building and contents were insured with the General Accident, Fire and Life Assurance Corporation for £1840.