Cinema Figures Decrease

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30977, 5 February 1966, Page 12

Cinema Figures Decrease

CNew Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, Feb. 3.

West Coasters go to the cinema more frequently than other New Zealanders and the people of Otago the least; throughout the country attendances fell by more than 11 million last year compared with two years earlier.

The Government Statistician said in a statement today that in a survey of 397 cinemas in the year ended March 31 it was found there were 26,026,000 admissions compared with 37,584,000 at 491 cinemas surveyed two years before and 40,632,000 at 545 cinemas in 196061.

In 1964-65 the average New Zealander went to the cinema 10 times, compared with 15 in 196263 and 17 in 196061.

On attendance per head of population Westland topped the list with 18.3 attendances each per year. Otago was bottom with 8.2.

The Westland figure decitoed from 20.4 attendances a bead tn 196263. Paid ad-

missions to cinemas in the Auckland urban area fell from 7,400,000 in 196263 to 5,200,000 in 196465, in Wellington and Hutt from 4,600.000 to 3,100,000, in Christchurch from 3,200,000 to 2,000,000 and in Dunedin from 1,600,000 to 1,000,000. Admission receipts for 196465 amounted to £4,090,000, compared with £5,066.000 and £440,000 the previous year.

Revenue from screen advertising fell from £212,000 in 196263 to £192,000 in 196465.

Operating expenditure of cinemas in 196465 amounted to £3,884,000, compared with two years earlier.