BUILDING ACTIVITY

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 286, 30 August 1935, Page 17

BUILDING ACTIVITY

New Theatre Being Built In Petone HOUSES IN LOWER HUTT Building operations in the Hutt Valley are going on apace, one of the most interesting jobs in hand at present being the construction of a new theatre in Petone. This was commenced a fortnight ago, and the opening is planned to take place in November. It is reported that the theatre, whose entrance will be opposite the borough council offices in Jackson Street, will be the most up-to-date suburban theatre in New Zealand. It is to be of one floor, and, it is understood, will closely follow in style the Plaza Theatre in Wellington. The work cannot be seen from Jackson Street, but what is going on is visible from Peel Street. There are three theatres in I’etone at the present time, these being the Grand, Palace and Empire. The new hotel has been completed m Jackson Street, and the post office, also in Jackson Street, is still under course of erection.

With the completion of these buildings the main thoroughfare will be definitely improved in appearance.

An old shop in Jackson Street has been demolished, and the hope has been expressed that when rebuilding takes place the structure will be worthy of the town. A number of houses are being erected. It" is stated that some of them have been held up temporarily on account of a shortage of fibrous plaster, but this difficulty has now been overcome. Workmen are also engaged on additions to the Petone Memorial Technical College. Building activity in Lower Hutt indicates the popularity of the borough as a residential quarter. Nineteen houses are going up at present within the borough and about a further ten just outside, in the Hutt county, while there are several others nearing completion. The value of some of the houses are £1560, £llOO, £1025, and others range from £lOOO down to £560. In the main a good class of property is being built. The total value for the 19 houses being built in the borough is £16,234. Additions are also being made to the Church of Christ in Queen’s Road. There is a rumour that a picture theatre is to be erected in Lower Hutt, but inquiries showed that no permit lias yet been applied for.

A good many building permits have been issued in Eastbourne and Upper Hutt, and it is expected tliat witli the approach of summer there will be considerable activity in those places also.