"STARLAND.”

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 16959, 11 September 1915, Page 12

"STARLAND.”

the THEATRE BEAUTIFUL.”

says air a ay. hervey. “ The shareholders and directors of my company are determined to make ‘ Starland ’ the most beautiful and comfortable continuous picture theatre in-Australasia,” said Air G.-AV. Horvoy •to a “Times” reporter last evening. ‘.‘ Neither money nor panis. will i JO spared by iis to attain, this end, • The kite Oi ‘Starland’ is. in Colombo Street, next the BaHow building, and 1 fading, the Triangle, and commands tho traffic of Colombo and High Streets, as well as tho Bank of New Zealand! corner, which' is recognised as the busiest comer- in. the Dominion. The position is considered the fiuest -for tliis class of business in Christchurch, and ‘ Starland ’ will be a building welt worthy of the site.” “Can you give me a few details of sente of the special features of ‘ Starland,’ Air Hervey?” “ Yes, shy with pleasure. ‘ Starland’ will be constructed on the’cantilever system- and-there- will be no posts or the. balcony to obstruct a view of the screen from those sitting in thcfa'uditoriuni. The lighting will bo on the latest indirect principle, and there will be practically no darkness while, the pictures aro being piojected. Our architect, Air John' S. Guthrie, has devised a. perfect system of ventilation, which will ensure a free circulation ..of pure,; sweet air witliin the theatre at all times. This system will be - ' - augmented by electric fans for use in hot weathei", if necessary. ‘Starland’ will bo heated in cold weather by hot water radiators conveniently placed and arranged so as to‘distribute-fresh warm air evenly throughout the cut,ire theatre. Thero will; be no extremes of heat or cold in- ‘ Starland ’ at any time, The front of the building is designed to give a most; striking-effect, and will rise to a ..height of 60ft from the pavement to-the top. of the parapet. It will be executed iu white Oamaru stone., and a modern suspended verandah will cover the footpath. The entrance will be nearly 40ft in width and will be finished in marble with beautilul marble staircases leading to aud from the balcony. The seating of Starland’ will.be unsurpassed in tho colonies, and will be very easy of access and- .egress. - •“ [ -Safety first ’ has been , our prime consideration, and all exits will open stiaight -out to the street or right-, of-way. ‘ Starland ’• will be not onlyfiieproof, but: panicbro'of as well.” ■ “I- understand that ‘Starland.- is owned and controlled exclusively by CT.ristchuioh citizens, Air ITervey?” “That is so.” replied Air Hen-ey, “and wo intend to keep the control right here too. For that very reason we did not issue, a opblic prospectus, and ruu the risk of. having a majority of pur shares subscribed by out,side capitalists.” 'AA'ho aro the officers of 1 Starland,’ Mr Hervey?” ' The. provisional directors are AL" AYilliam Broadway, Air David Ecdpath and;Mr -V.- M. Beebe.;: but at our first general meeting the shareholders themselves. will elect a: "full board of five directorsYis '.well 'as - other officers.”

“ And the shares...have' all been subscribed?” queried' the.' reporter. “All shares have \ boon - practically underwritten.”, said Air Hervey, “ and avc have ample capital for our -present requirements. 'The few shares now unallotted will bo taken up bv present shareholders, if necessary,'. AYe already have .aboufi fortfv shareholders, ’ anil they include some .of the most successful. business men and well known residents. of .Christchurch. Anyone wishing to secure partieulaYs of small, parcels of share's still available can see me, at mv office, 59, Cathedral Square, at any time, and those who take up shares’now will ha ve the same voice in. the'management as the present holders : but I might-say we’will not favourably, .consider any application for -alia res-front other than pci 1 -; sons living in or near Christchurch. “ Yes, sir, the, citizens of 'Clu-ist-chiirch are going to own this picture theatre.” said tho genial secretary of “Starland Limited,” as he politely excused himself to answer an urgent call on his private telephone. 1