AURORA THEATRE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5145, 29 June 1927, Page 3

AURORA THEATRE.

HANDSOSIE PAEROA BUILDING. STRUCTURE NEARLY COMPLETED. With the advancement and progress of the Borough of Paeroa it became apparent that there was ample justification for the erection of additional office accommodation, new shops, and a! modern theatre. Accordingly, a small number of investors got rogether x and, being satisfied that Paewas a safe town in which to in--vest and be sure of a reasonable return, called upon Mr George L. Burmester, architect, of Paeroa and Te Aroha, to prepare plans and specification's for a building that would be accredit to the town and fit the same trine meet its present and future r needs. Mr Burmester thereupon pijt his heart and soul into his. task, and spared no efforts to combine originality with permanance and utility. The plans having been duly approved of, tenders were called for the ( ! erection. It is patent to-day that the company, as well as the architect, was particularly fortunate in the successful tenderer being no less a person than Mr W. W. Scott, the well-known building contractor, Hamilton, who' has erected some of the largest buildings in the Waikato. Having undertaken the building at Paeroa, Mr Scott became something more than a mere contractor; he took keen and personal interest in the work, and to-day we find a building that will stand as a monument to his capabilities and thoroughness. In view of the fact that the thed- ' tre will be completed at the end of this week it will no doubt be interesting to give a brief account of the valuable asset Paeroa.. possesses and has watched grow on an unsightly day area of land. ' • With a total frontage of H6ft to Normanby Road, the stately edifice rises to a height of 34ft. The frontage is broken up by six shops, each if useful size, differently designed intefiorily, and having a bright, pleasing appearance. The fact that all the shops have been taken up, and already several are occupied, clearly indicates that there was a good, demand, and that people have faith in the future of the. town. A suspension verandah covers the total frontage, The ceiling is finished off in white and beams and lighted by seven arc lights. The whole of the outside elevation is of a massive nature, and ornate. Pretty lead-light* and tiled stall-boards, with entrances finished in red oxide,, set the shops off from the exterior. THE THEATRE ITSELF. With the unusual name of ■'Aurora,” which means “the dawning light,” the main entrance to the theatre is ■ from Normanby Road by way of a 10ft entrance, the paving of which is of . the Venetian Terrazzo process, in which is worked the name Aurora, and also is depicted the rays of the Borealis. The design, which fs as unityie as it is appropriate, is being greatly admired. The walls of the entrance are tiled to a height of 6irt. with white plaster walls and ceilings. There are also neat tiled edges to the Terrazzo pavement. Twenty-four feet within the entrance on the right-hand side is the staircase, leading to the dress-circle. The stairs fire of grey Terrazzo, with steel balusters and newels .carrying a polished rimu handrail. On past the entrance to the stairs is the boxoffice, which is situated under the half-landing. The- office is artistically finished off with a., striking leadlight and plate-glass ticket window. Mounting the staircase, which is of an easy grade, entrance is gained to the foyer, from which opens off a suite of modern and well-lighted offices overlooking the main street. Also from the foyer a turn to the r, right gives entrance to the dresscircle through a handsome Oregonpanelled passageway. On either side of this is. situa.ted ladies’ and men’s cloak-rooms. Once inside the circle a striking scene is unfurled, and one’s eyes immediately travel to the stage with its handsome and massive ornamentations. A glance round the circle itself shows lofty walls finished in white plaster. On either side are unique-shaped ornamental sa.shes with lead-lights affixed. One of the sashes opens outwards, and in addition to providing a fire-escape leads on to a wide, flat concrete roof, which is surrounded by a 3ft brick parapet. With this provision dress-circle patron will be able to reach the open air for a quiet smoke during the interval of a programme without the ' necessity of having to descend the stairs. The ceiling of the- theatre as viewed from the circle is very striking. The whole of the ceiling, cove, and cornices are finished in- fibrous plaster, through which are placed coloured electric lights at intervals of 3ft. A massive white plaster, dome and three heavy grills provide ample ventilation, yet are protective against draughts. The back of the dresscircle parapet, which is concave and convex, is of Oregon thr.ee-ply surmounted by a wide rimu handrail and arm-rest. Seating accommodation is provided for 310 persons. Comfortable metal tip-up seats, which arewell padded, commodious, and give plenty of leg-room between the rows, are- situated upon 13 platforms, each of which rises gradually from the front row of the circle. Thus patrons occupying the seats farther back will have equally as good a view as those in the front. Before leaying the circle reference to the stage is again necessary. On either side of the proscenium are sit* uated two huge" Corinthian columns, f with orthodox bases and heads worked in heavy White fibrous pla.stcr. A slight curve , and massive ornamentation above the proscenium give a very pleasing effect, and at the same time one of solidity. Between the columns on the ground floor is situated a capacious orchestra-well, which is. surrounded by Oregon and stained rimu panelling. Twenty Ifeet from the columns the floor rises gradually to a height of 3ft at the back. At the right of the main entrance and' under the circle is situated the- projection

and operating box, encased in concrete and finished in keeping with the interior of the building. Three rows of chairs provide seating accommodation for 540 persons in the auditorium. On either side of the columns are placed handsome doors, fitted with panic bolts, which can be used as fire-escapes. The walls of the auditorium are finished in white fibrous plaster, with artistic panels and scroll work. A putty-coloured dado from ttye floor to a height of 7ft on the walls gives a great finish and striking appearance. Situated under the stage, which is 45ft by 30ft, is a large room, suitable for a supper or sample-room. Opening out from this are four dressing-rooms and all conveniences. The stage and orchestralwell are reached by means of stairs from the dressing-room.

In keeping with the name Aurora, a special feature is the brilliant lighting of the building. At a cost of approximately £20,000, the building has taken nine and a half months, to erect, during which time employment has been found for as many as 22 down to 9 men on the building alone. The whole of the joinery, much of which is very handsome and of unique design, has been manufactured by Messrs. Le Manquais, Lamb, and Co., at their Paeroa factory, and the-splen-did work turned out is a credit to the local firm. The two massive columns were manufactured in four pieces in Auckland and shipped to Paeroa, where they were fabricated and erected. The cornices, domes, and panelling were made on the job. As an indication of the capabilities of Messrs. Burmester and Scott it is interesting to record that close on £31,000 of work has been handled in this district during the last ten months. Their latest effort to be completed is worthy of the warmest congratulations. The residents of Paeroa and district have been provided with a building of which they might well be proud.