The 'Mayfair' was originally a movie theatre built in the art-deco style . In its time it was a pretty up-market kind of place with an upstairs seating area and ground floor stalls . Mum made us dress up in our best to go out to the movies and paid more to sit upstairs! , People stood for the playing of "God Save the Queen" before the program of news films , many from overseas which is how we kept up to date , Tom and Jerry cartoons , NZ short film productions of Fiordland or the Bay of Islands or the opening of Parliament .... and at half time a boy with a tray of pre-prepared ice creams would circulate . Dad would buy us one . What a treat ! . Then the main feature .. starring Rock Hudson or John Mills or whoever and more lately in colour ! . Now its a friendly bar after the new owners completed the earthquake strengthening - as mentioned in last weeks sketches of St Mary's church. MLB
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