BIG BUSINESS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 8, 26 January 1942, Page 3

BIG BUSINESS

PICTURE THEATRES INCREASED ATTENDAXCES " During last financial year 31,491,811 persons paid for admission to picture theatres, an increase of 320,681 over the number for the year before. The Government Statistician gives these figures, and there are four fewer theatres than a couple of years ago, namely, 572 as against 576 in 1.938-39-Persons engaged in the theatres in 1940-41 numbered 2979. and their salaries for the year amounted to £370,762, of which sum £120,822 was paid to females. Total seating capacity is 271,535 of which 148,760 are Is 6d a seat (excluding tax). Income for 1940-41, with that for 1939-40 shewn in parentheses, was admissions, including tax, £2,107,443 (£2,009,662): advertising on screen £30,392 (£31,170); other receipts £60,568. (£60,167); total, £2,198,403 (£2,100,999). Per head of population the average number of attendances during the year was 19. Auckland is well in the lead in the number of picture theatres to the square mile. In that provincial district there are 232 theatres, in Wellington 85, Canterbury 51, Ota go 47, Southland 12. Hawke's Bay 35, and Taranaki 34. Admission receipts in Auckland amounted to £777,104, Wellington £531,665, Canterbury £292,000, and Otago and Southland £217,325.