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"The tax was introduced in World War II as a temporary measure by the Federal government. It was abolished
five years ago by the Federal government and immediately re-introduced by the State government."
"In the past few years, strong representations have been made to the State government by the motion picture
industry with a view to getting the tax substantially reduced or abolished altogether. But no relief was given."
"It looks to me", Mr. Howard said, "as if they are going to be like Britain and leave it too late. The entertainment
tax on live theatre was abolished there and considerably reduced on film theatres, but it was too late. Theatres
and film. theatres had already closed in their thousands." "I firmly believe", Mr. Howard concluded, "that if the
State Government had given some relief or abolished the tax, the Regal cinema would still be open."

And so ended what undoubtedly had been the longest and most successful era in the history of the Southern
Cross - its period as the Regal. An undignified and sad ending really as it closed on its' 33rd birthday - 26th
November, 1925, to 26th November, 1958. Prior to August, 1939, its earlier career, as you will have read, was
particularly chequered to say the least.

You may recall my mentioning that posters advertising the last programme at Hoyts Southern Cross, when it
closed in June, 1931, remained outside the building for many long years afterwards. With the building destined
for demolition there was no way that posters for the Regal's last attraction would remain as a reminder in the
years to come. Wonder what happened to them?

Wonder no more- I've got them! When I woke up the following afternoon I cycled down to the Regal, found Mr.
Howard in attendance and successfully made representations to become the new owner of the posters. They
are among my most prized possessions.

Demolition of the Southern Cross/Regal commenced early in January, 1959 and was completed in a few
weeks. In no time a service station was operating on the site and still continues to so. While demolition was in
progress I made a few, what I termed, "sentimental journeys" down to the hallowed ground early on Sunday
mornings and was able to unearth a few souvenirs. These included a 1926 handbill advertising attractions at
the Southern Cross and from the Regal days, box plans, tickets, stills from "The Rocking Horse Winner" and
"The Astonished Heart" as well as several other mementos.

Although the theatre had gone, traces of it remained around the district for many years afterwards. These were
advertising hoardings on which the Regal's programmes were pasted each week. To my knowledge, four were
undisturbed for many a long year, these were located at (a) On the south side of Albion Street, Essendon, east
of Tennyson Street (b) In Lincoln Road, on the west side between King and William Streets (c) On the corner
of Oxford Street and the Boulevarde, Moonee Ponds, and (d) On a fence at the southern end of Scott Street,
Moonee Ponds, where it takes a quaint little twist to become Huntly Street. There could have been others.

This treatise has been compiled during the last quarter of 1991 and there is another touch of irony here; it is 66
years after the opening of the Southern Cross or 33 years after its' closure as the Regal. Most of my research
was done in 1959 but, because there were gaps in the story, apart from time considerations, I have not previ-
ously attempted the task, always hoping that I might unearth new material.

Apart from the gaps in the story, there is theory, there is conjecture. If, therefore, anybody knows anything
about the early history of the Southern Cross or knows of someone who could assist, please let me know. 1
fear, however, that it may be too late as appeals for assistance in the "Essendon Gazette" some years ago
failed to produce any fruitful result.

It would be interesting to learn, for instance, who were the shareholders in the company which planned to erect
the Southern Cross in 1924 (Southern Cross Pictures Ltd). What, if anything, happened in the Southern Cross
between Mondays and Wednesdays from March 1926 to 23rd September, 1926. Then the big mystery -there
is an unexplained gap of almost 22 months between November, 1927, and September, 1929, when there are
no reports of activity at the theatre. Finally, there were some swift and sudden moves late in 1929 which
culminated in the theatre emerging as Hoyts Southern Cross in February, 1930. I hope nobody has the effron-
tery to suggest that I write to Hoyts on the matter; I've already tried it without success.

The Southern Cross or, if you prefer it, the Regal, has gone; gone for over a third of a century now. For many
of us, however, fond and happy memories of enjoyable nights will linger on forever.

What happened to the bricks of the building I shall never know. Whatever their use I doubt if they will be giving
as much enjoyment as they did to the residents of Essendon during their 33 year stay here- particularly the last
19 years and just over three months as Essendon's theatre of distinction.
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