This building at 31 Devon Street East was built in 1911 to meet local demand for the "cinematograph", a new and exciting entertainment. The building was described in great detail in this article in the Taranaki Daily News shortly before it opened.
The "Empire Picture Palace" opened on 23 December, 1911 at 11.00 a.m. with patrons invited to arrive at any time of day and, "stay as long as you like".
The official opening took place on the evening of 26 December with the showing of Leon Sazie's , "Zigomar", billed as the greatest production ever screened.
A building permit was issued to the Bellringer Estate for the theatre on 7 October, 1911. The estimated cost was £1,500, the architect was Mr J.T. Mannix and the construction was supervised by Mr J.G. Russell. The theatre was then leased to Taranaki Amusements Ltd., run by Garnet Hornby Saunders.
It features in Nancy de Bueger's study of the local cinema industry - The Change in the Cinema Industry...in New Plymouth (TRCT791.43 DEB). It's thought the theatre closed sometime between 1925 and 1930. Apparently it never showed "talkies" - films with dialogue.
In 1916 minor alterations were made and the architect was Mr Hugh Grierson of the Auckland firm, Grierson and Aimer. The plans are held in the archives at Puke Ariki. (ARC2014-008)
There was a fire in the building in February 1930 which caused considerable damage.
In 1945 the building was bought by Millers Ltd (drapers) and their name remains on the facade. In 1951 plans were drawn up by Taylor & Syme on behalf of Millers for a new front to the building. The work was carried out by Boon Bros.
Related documents:
Millers (N.P.) Ltd. Advertisement (Taranaki Herald Centennial Issue 1852-1952)
Millers 1939-1976 Advertisement (TNL Centennial Supplement 1976)
Please do not reproduce these images without permission from Puke Ariki.
Contact us for more information or you can order images online here.
