FREE PICTURES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 51, 1 March 1941, Page 10

FREE PICTURES.

AUCKLAND FORCES.

PLAN FOR ENTERTAINMENT

Free film entertainments, two nights a week, for the duration of the war will be available to men serving at the Narrow Neck and North Head camp*, and shortly afterwards a similar amenity will be available to units at Motutnpu, according to a statement made to-day by the Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, in his capacity as chairman of the Auckland Provincial Patriotic Council. The plan "ill operate from March 17 next, when nil oflicial opening ceremony for the whole circuit will be hold at Xarrow N'eck.

Sir Krnest said he was happy to make the announcement, because the arrangements referred to represented the practical application of a magnificent patriotic gesture by the film industry of New Zealand, in both its distribution and ex lii bit ion branches. Great Contribution.

I "From the outset of the negotiations which originated some months ago from a suggestion made to the Provincial Council by Brigadier X. W. McX. Weir," said Sir Ernest, "the industry ha* spared neither time nor expense* in its desire to assist the scheme to fruition. Very real difficulties, attributable entirely to war conditions, were encountered in the acquisition of plant, but now, I am pleased to report, theme have been overcome in so far a.s the Xarrow Neck and North Head installations are concerned. Shortly, it is anticipated, the balance of the installation /or Motutapu will be completed, aii'dV-wiie section will then join the circuit, 'aboriginally planned. In effect, what =tHe film industry in this instance has do.no, as part of its contribution to the war-.effort, hae been to provide for the period of hostilities plant, equipment and two programmes a week, all free of charge, the only condition being—and that has been accepted by the Provincial Council— that no charge be made for admission to any of the screenings. I cannot *peak too highly in appreciation of the part the film industry has played in the establishment of thin service for the men at the camps mentioned. Particular credit is due to the initiative shown in the matter by Theatre Management. Limited, of Wellington, Amalgamated Theatres, Limited, of Auckland, and the Film Exchanges Association of New Zealand. The assistance forthcoming from Northern Military District Headquarter* hae throughout harmonised with the gesture of the film industry, and. in short, has .made the scheme complete. I feel sure that parents, as well as the men in camps, will fully appreciate the amenity, which a fine example of co-operative effort and patriotic endeavour has made possible."' Complete Sets. Sir Erneet added that from army ranks a trained operator and an assistant had been made available, and supervision of the screenings, together with the receipt and dispatch of the film programmes, would be in the hands of the representatives of the institutions in charge of the National Patriotic Fund Board's recreational huts in the camps. Screenings will take place two nights a week, Mondays and Thursdays being allocated to Narrow Neck, and Tuesdays and Fridays to North Head. When Motntapu enters the circuit, the screenings there will be on Wednesdays- and Saturdavs.