FULLER THEATRES

Hokitika Guardian, 8 May 1930, Page 2

FULLER THEATRES

CATERING FOR PATRONS

HUGE' CAPITAL INVOLVED

WELLINGTON, May 2

Sir Benjamin Fuller to-day said the purpose of his Hying visit to New Zealand was at the urgent request of Mr John Fuller, his brother, who Had been some weeks here preparing the ground for the Fuller firms tak.ng over complete contio! of the FullerHay w'arU theatres in New Zealand.

“This has now been done,” he added. “All tne details are completed, everything has been, signed, sealed, and delivered, and a big policy move has been made to bring about what may rightly be described as the biggest organisation of its kind in Australia and New Zealand. John Fuller and Sons now have the St. James Theatre in Auckland, His Majesty’s (which will be renamed St. James’s) in Wellington, the Opera House in Christchurch, and the Prin.ess in Dunedin, and these two last-named may in time also be called St..James Theatres. “The reorganisation of our business just completed,” Sir Benjamin continued “will be of substantial benefit to New Zealand, because all that we get for Australia will he for New Zealand as well. What Australia gets New Zealand will get. We have some 60 theatres in New Zealand and about 30 in Australia, only the theatres in Australia are necessarily larger than those in New Zealand,

“Approximately £4,000,000’ is invested in the business, and while I considered that in most places in N.Z. the public is well catered for, yet it is our intention to improve, improve, and still improve where possible the already well established houses' of entertahiment, keeping abreast of the times, for 1 fully recognise that the people demand luxurious comfort in the picture house of to-day. With regard to the change in control and direction, Sir Benjamin said that Mr John Fuller and himself would ue more or less resident in Wellington. The head office of the company would be transferred from Auckland to Wellington. Mr Walter Fuller, of Wellington, detains his seat on the board of directors, and Mr Henry Hayward (Auckland) is now.vice-chairman. “Mr C. Olivier,. of Christchurch, I am very ,glad to say,” said Sir Benjamin, “will act, in our place during the absence from New Zealand of either myself or Mr John Fuller, and his wide business experiences should he of inestimable benefit to the company.

• “At the time we may use dur theatres for other than talkie entertainments. We may, if it is thought practicable business to do so, bring out grand opera companies or some other special forms of entertainment. We have never attempted to create a monopoly, and never will, hut have kept, and will keep, the flag of independence flying,” Sir Benjamin was asked 'if the present hard times in Australia were being reflected in entertainment receipts, and in reply he said, “Yes, where the prices of admission are high, out I think this will bo only temper, ary, No very marked differences have yet been shown in the returns from most of the theatres. I think the depression J. 3 nob nearly so serious as ft appears to us in New Zealand. I think the depression will pass, and business all round will greatly im-prove-before the end of this year. The Government has got the situation well in hand, and I am able to speak with confidence from the .standpoint of one having,considerable finan ial interests in both New Zealand and Australia.”