Empire Theatre/Millers Building, 31 Devon Street East (1911)

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.

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)

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 appears that the Empire may have stopped showing films late in 1925 or early 1926, turning instead to hosting shows, meetings and lectures.  

There was a fire in the building in February 1930 which caused considerable damage. Work began almost immediately on repairs to the building. 

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 items:

Town Section 892, Taranaki Land Deed Index I1 Page 487. (Archives New Zealand)

Taranaki DP529 Sheet 1 (1893), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)

Taranaki (Lot 2) DP9913 Sheet 1 (1966), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)

Millers (N.P.) Ltd. Advertisement (Taranaki Herald Centennial Issue 1852-1952)

Millers 1939-1976 Advertisement (TNL Centennial Supplement 1976)

Saunders not the first to bring silent movies to town (Taranaki Daily News 20 April 2013)