FOR BRITISH FILMS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 27, 23 April 1927, Page 23 (Supplement)

FOR BRITISH FILMS

PRODUCTION PALACE PURCHASED The projected purchase of the Palace of Engineering: at Wembley for the production of British films was disclosed at a meeting of the Wembley Council recently. The price was stated to be about £IOO,OOO. Mr. Ralph J. Pugh, managing director of British Authors’ Productions, Ltd., the prospective purchasers, wrote stating that they contemplated using the whole of the building ultimately for British film production. The development would take some five years to complete and in the meantime they proposed to let the rest of the building on short leases. The council might be willing to make special arrangements whereby the rates and taxes were fixed on a basis in proportion to the amount of space occupied, on the understanding that the assessment was increased as and when they sub-let. They anticipated that when the building was fully developed it would accommodate 20 or 30 producing companies. If the council’s reply was satisfactory they contemplated signing the contract for the purchase within the next few days. The council replied that it would insist on the terms of the contract between the liquidators and the council and encourage the best kind of development Mr. Pugh was referred to Sir Trustram Eve, valuer to the assessment committee, on the question of rates.