BEHIND THE SCENES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 248, 19 October 1893, Page 5

BEHIND THE SCENES.

■.ROUBLES OF "GOOD TR SAMARITANS."

VARIETY ARTISTS AND THEIR n* lbil SALARIES.

mm AN D PATENT MEDICINE

taaffninof the "Good Samaritan Variety i Patent Modicine Company, which reHv esve performances in the City Hall •Auckland, wero aired ab the Resident Listrate'e Conrt this morning, before Br Giles, R.M- . Three actions for recovery of wages and travelline expenses, laid by late mambera tho Good Samaritan Company against J I proprietor, Arthur Gunn were heard. The first was a suit for the recovery of si. ISa being one week's salary in lieu of *°Hcb' and travelling expenses back to fijton. The plaintiff wae Arthur rivi »nd tho defondanti Arthur Gunnij r VV. J. Napier appearorj for the plain.i The defendant, who did not appear, «ai unrepresented. Mr Napier seated that tbe defendant dismiaeed tbo memJ:,, of bis Company lubd Sunday, without giving any notice- and fcney vow i.imad one week's salary and fare back to Ty'llington. The detendanb had left here . WaDganui last Monday and had not yon beard from, although the summonses Id been served on him aa the train was Lrine Auckland for the Manukau. Arthur Glyim, the plaintiff, deposed that irtwa! a variety artist. He was engaged I Wellington by the defendant for a theatrical tour, at o salary of £2 10s per wook. No had been dismissed witlioub notice. The übu*l practice amongsb theatrical Moole was to claim one week's salary in {ieu of notice and faro back to tho original p l,ce of engagement, Walter Arthur Trice, theatrical manager, ■toted that during his 16 years' experience foAustralasia he had always known it to ta the rnle to pay an artisb back to thereof engagement. His Worship said that it appeared to be only reasonable that a theatrical artist on dismissal should be ontitled to one week's alary in lieu of notice, and to the expenses c! travelling back to the origiual place of Judgment was given tor the plaintiff for the amount claimed, with £1 31s coats. The next cane called was that of George Leslie v, Arthur Gunn, claim £5 15s, one wtek's salary in lieu of notice, nnd travelling expenses. back to Wellington. The caso was adjourned to November 16th. Tbe third suit was that of Frank John Bragge against Arthur Gunn, claim £6 us, being one week's salary in lieu of notice, and fare back to Wellington. Mr Napier appeared for tho plaintitt. I'rank John Braggo deposed that be was engaged by the defendants at Wellington aa a pianist for the "Good Samaritan Dramatic and Patent Medicino Company" for a tour through New Zealand, which he \\":8 given to understand would last nbout Mien or eight months. Ilia salary vm£Spet week. Dr. Gilea: That is a rather singular cointimition—drama and patent medicine. Mr Napier explained that the medicines Tore offered for sale to tbe audience during tbo performance ac the City Hall. There vssalsoa "baby-show " in connection with tbe combination. The witness farther stated bhat he had Icen suddenly dismissed by the defendant without notice. It had always taen tho custom in his experience to pay a week's salary to members of theatrical companies in lion of notico, and to pay travelling expenses back to the place of engagement. Judgment was given for the plaintiff, lith costs £211s. , Another case, against a member of tbe Company, was then disposed of. Harry Bennett, proprietor of the Pier Hotel, Mued J, C. Bryant, a member of the Good Samaritan Company, for £1, being hoard and lodging) for one week for a member of the combination. Defendant did not appoar, and judgment was given for thu plaintiff, with fcitsbs.