PAPAKURA INNOVATION

Camp News (Northern Command), Volume 1, Issue 1, 3 May 1940, Page 8

PAPA KU RA INNOVATION

THREE CHANGES WEEKLY Admission Charge Made Seating 500, the up-to-date theatre which has been built at Papakura for officers, soldiers and nurses is now being used nightly for. the screening of motion pictures. After the building itself was completed some time ago, there was a delay in acquiring the necessary apparatus. However, this has now been installed, and going to the theatre has already become a recognised and popular part of camp life. Because it would take very few days for all those in camp to see any one picture, the programme is changed thrice weekly. Films being used are ones which screened in the city fairly recently, and there is no complaint from the soldiers about the entertainment being offered. Admission of 6d. is charged and the theatre is open to anybody in the camp on any night. Before the opening of the theatre, it was the practice to offer concerts to the men by units, since the accommodation available did not allow general admission. The interior of the theatre is thoroughly in accord with modern practice, although, of course, the walls are of wood.. Up to dado rail height they have been painted light green and from there up to the lath form of ventilation are cream. Powerful electric

fans have been placed at intervals along the walls to keep the air fresh. Lights are suspended into cheerful shades and the footlights and sidelights are coloured, with alternative systems of switching them on in pattern. Coloured hangings relieve the sides of the screen. The chairs, although not padded, are comfortable, and far better than forms. Smoking is not allowed.