A DRAMATIC FINALE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 138, 12 June 1926, Page 9

A DRAMATIC FINALE.

TO THEATRICAL TOUR. CHILDREN BEHAVE SPLENDIDLY. "Are you a member of tlie pantomime company?" asked an official from the wharf, before the Ngapuhi wa3 properly berthed. ••I am.'' answer..! Mr. A. E. \. Benham, the basso of the Stanley McKay pantomime combination, who was waiting near the rail. "Well, the Marama is waiting for your crowd and wiil sail as soon as you're on board. ' And from the time the .anyway was placed in position, the -4 theatrical people, for whom tiic sailing of the Sydney boat had been postponed, engaged in'one hurried rush to leave the little vessel and board the bis one. which was delayed on the other side of the wharf. The' members of the company brought with them from the Manaia. only their personal belongings, the scenery ana "props" beinjr left on the reef with the stranded steamer. Included in the company, which had such a dramatic finale to its tour of New Zealand, were ten children, who did a specialty act in the pantomime, and, although he had very little time at h"i9 disposal. Mr. Benham was able to give a few line- to a reporter. 'The kids behaved wonderfully." he said. ' "They weren't in the least frightened and wa were very proud of them."' Mr. Benham. like most of the other passengers, treated the mi-hap lijrhtly. "T felt three bumps and knew that we were acrroiin.l." he said. "There was a hurried rush for the deck, but not a.

sicn of panic." Mr. A. Meredith, the "dame" has remained in Auckland, with his wife and child, in order to look after the company's property when it is brought to Auckland. He hopes to get away by the next boat to Pydney.