The pictures come to Dunedin

German soldiers watch from a train as they supervise Polish women, who are required to work on...
German soldiers watch from a train as they supervise Polish women, who are required to work on the roads and railways in the conquered country. - Otago Witness, 3.11.1915.
Another attraction in amusements will be set in motion this evening, when the superb picture palace in Princes street, situated on the site of the old Exchange Court, will be opened to the public with a strong programme.

Occupying a prominent place in the public view, and being admirably adapted for a place of entertainment, it is safe to say the new theatre will soon claim its quota of the picture-loving section of the community.

No expense has been spared to make the building comfortable, upstairs and downstairs, and a wide exit has been provided into Rattray street, which enables the hall to be cleared in a very few minutes.

Last night, when the premises were inspected by the directors and a number of friends, many complimentary remarks were passed concerning all the arrangements.

The building is spacious, the area covered by the ground floor being 100ft by 33ft.

On the ground floor are 500 leather upholstered seats and upstairs 350, and a feature of the place is that, as there are no pillars, every patron may obtain an uninterrupted view of the screen.

The ceiling is of fibrous plaster, beautifully designed in three bays and domed.

The vestibule at the entrance is roomy, and a wide staircase with thickly carpeted steps leads upstairs.

On what is known as the intermediate or mezzanine floor are the manager's room, store rooms, and ladies' cloak rooms.

The building is neatly and solidly finished throughout in picked Oregon.

Special care has been taken with the ventilation, fresh air being circulated by means of a network of tubes let in the walls.

There are ample fire escapes of steel.

The new theatre reflects credit upon the architect (Mr E. Walden) and the contractor (Mr W. M'Lellan). Messrs J. J. Marlow (who is responsible for the seating), Messrs A. and T. Burt (lighting and plumbing), Messrs R. S. Wardrop and Co. (decorations), Mr S. Aiken (painting), and Messrs Scoullar and Chisholm (furnishings) also deserve a word of praise for their share in the fitting up.

• When it became known that the Brethren in the Wyndham and Edendale district were going to baptise five of their number in the Mimihau River, a good deal of curiosity was aroused.

For an hour before 2.30 on Sunday afternoon people could be seen wending their way to the selected spot.

There were more than 100 pedestrians, while over the fields from the adjoining recreation ground a long line of khaki-clad forms could be seen hurrying towards the Mimihau bridge.

On arrival there one could see that everything was in readiness for carrying out this old-time religious ceremony.

One gentleman addressed the crowd and explained their reason in carrying out such a custom.

The speaker then donned an old suit and waded out to the middle of the steam, his co-religionists singing heartily all the while.

As soon as the master of ceremonies had selected a firm foothold a strong, well-built man of at least 35 summers went out to him and for about half a second was kept completely submersed.

Two other male members went through the same ordeal and finally two of the gentler sex were submersed.

The crowd were greatly interested in the uncommon sight and when the last lady ''to go under'' got safely ashore, they quickly dispersed.

• Duntroon and vicinity were visited by a business-like hailstorm on Monday, the gauge showing 110 points within 40 minutes.

The fall was particularly local, and about four miles away there was very little rain.

At Duntroon (an informant of the Oamaru Mail points out) there was very nearly as much water inside the houses as outside. - ODT, 11.11.1915.

 


• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ


 

 

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