NEW THEATRE OPENED

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 458, 13 September 1928, Page 13

NEW THEATRE OPENED

PAPATOETOE’S PROGRESS There was a large attendance at the official opening of the Central Theatre, Papatoetoe, last evening. Mr. A. W. Hall, chairman of the Papatoetoe Town Board, officiated in the absence of Mr. E. li. McLennan, M.P., and congratulated Mr. Ronald Corbett, the proprietor of the new venture, in his enterprise in erecting a theatre to compare favourably with anything at present in the Auckland suburbs. Special mention was made of the businesslike manner in which the building of the theatre had been carried ou etby the contractor, Mr. J. R. Simpson. Mr. F. M. Waters, chairman of the Manukau County Council, referred to the growth of Papatoetoe and surrounding districts from what, a few years ago, was purely rural land connected with the city by horse-drawn coaches. To-day the district was considered one of the popular residential suburbs of Auckland, and was only half an hour from the General Post Office. He also extended his congratulations to Mr. Corbett on his faith in the future of the district. Mr. Hall then declared the theatre open and called on Mrs. Corbett to receive a handsome bouquet and a box of chocolates as a mark of esteem from her well-wishers in the district. The interior of the theatre presented a picturesque appearance with the softly-tinted* floodlights shedding a glow over the gathering. A specially engaged orchestra gave a delightful programme of musical numbers and solos were contributed by Miss Renee Adoree. Mr. Jack Dale gave items on the iSwafiee whistle. has every; reason to. be pleased with the., night of the new theatre. Among those present "at the opening were:— Mrs. R. Gibbons. Mrs. Brown. Miss Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Watkins. Mbss- P. Rowe. Mrs. J. Ryan, -Miss D. Farquhar, Mr. and Mrs. Corbett, senr., Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Corbett. Mrs. K. Raymond, Mrs. McLennan, Mr. and Mrs! Raymond Sheatfi, Mr. and Mrs. C. -Whitney.,. Mr. and Mfkr- Fred Price, Dr. and Mrs; Valentine. Dr. and Mrs. Jamieson. Mr. and Mrs. Keable, Mr. and Mr'S; Smith. Mrs. Baildon, Mrs. Seymour, Mrs. Fay. Mrs. Kendall, Miss Hutchison, Mrs. Rough and many others.