THEATRE PROFITS FOR CHARITY

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27407, 21 July 1954, Page 8

THEATRE PROFITS FOR CHARITY

Wellington Man’s Gift TRUST BOARD SET UP (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 19. A Wellington philanthropist, Mr A. C. Davis, of Karori, is giving to charity the entire proceeds from the Tivoli Theatre in Molesworth street. Mr Davis is lessee of the picture theatre, and he has set up a trust board to administer the funds. It is believed that this is the first time in New Zealand that a picture theatre has been used to found a charitable t*ust, and ij may be the first in the Commonwealth. From time to time during 'the last 10 years Mr Davis has given some of the profits from the theatre to charitable causes. The theatre has regular Sunday screenings, the profits from which have for some time been used for benevolent and philanthropic

purposes. Mr Davis said today that no particular organisation or field of charitable work had been singled out for benefits. “It does not matter who puts in an application,” he said. “It will be treated on its merits. Anybody or anything that is deserving of help will be considered.”

It would be some time before grants would be made, as the fund was being built up to a reasonable level, he said. Mr Davis said he hoped his act would be an inspiration to others to establish similar trusts. “Why not do some good for somebody in your lifetime?” he said. The members of the trust board are Messrs Davis (chairman), I. Palmer, C. Gibson-Young, R. Watt, and N. Sturrock.