MODERN MATAMATA.

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17804, 31 August 1929, Page 7

MODERN MATAMATA.

NEW THEATRE PLANNED. ENTERPRISE OF LOCAL PEOPLE. TOWN BOARD SNUBBED. (Special to Times.) MATAMATA, Saturday. The action of the Matamata Town Board in shelving the question of erecting a modern picture theatre in the town has resulted in private enterprise stepping in and assuming control of a business' which in the past has proved a veritable golden egg to the board. A meeting of prominent citizens decided last evening to erect an up-to-date “talkie” picture theatre at a capital cost of £25,000. The sum of £15,000 has already been subscribed and the balance is promised from certain individuals who were not able to attend last night’s meeting. The building, which is to be twostoreyed, will have a frontage of lGsft. to Arawa Street, and 54ft. to Tower Road, adjoining the Bank of New I Zealand. There will he aceommoda- i i tion for 0 shops, 5 offices, an auditor- | ium and an extensive lounge. The j spacious stage will provide ample room j for the largest company touring New Zealand. In addition to the latest ap- | pointmenfs, there is to be seating ac- j commodation for about 828 persons. ; The work of erecting the theatre in reinforced concrete will be started almost immediately, and it is hoped to have it completed early in the New j Year. The company will arrange to j have a regular supply of first-class | “talkies" and proposes to install the 1 most up-to-date machinery. Any person familiar with Matamata knows the barn-like structure and impossible adjuncts therein dignified by the name of a town hall. The building has been an eyesore ; for years. Anyone who has sat through j , pictures on a hard wooden form cran- j ! ing his neck to get a view will agree j , that the standard of comfort is very j j low. In spite of this the profits of the 1 Town Board for the picture concern I ( for the quarter ended June 30 amount- J , eel to about £240, simply because the i , pleasure-loving public has nowhere I , else to go. I ( The productivity of the district J j shows that the population should be j , doubled in a decade, and in view of j f this and the discomforts of the pub- £ lie to-day, the meeting last night I ‘ should be congratulated on its enter- j prise and foresight. i