MR WILSON BARRETTS FARE WELL.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11190, 3 February 1902, Page 6

MR WILSON BARRETTS FARE WELL.

At the conclusion of the performance at the Theatre Royal on Saturday night, Mr | Barrett, in response to lond calls, came be- { fore the curtain, and made a short speech. He said: —"I have been asked to make a speech, and I cannot thank you enough, not only for to-night, but for every night during the pact two weeks. I want to thank you on behalf of my friends behind the curtain, who have played their parts unseen, but who have done so much to make each night a success. I want to thank those who, by their intellect and pens, have contributed hi no small degree to ensure so successful, an issue to our visit. (Applause.) 1 desire to say a few- words, as you have asked mc to speak, regarding the drama as a principle. It is very easy to> say to yourselves, 'It does not matter .what is played lin Those who say that speak without: thought and without feeling. We must have amusement in this busy, hardworking world of ours, where life grows more difficult every day, the struggle more fierce and the competition more severe. There must come a time when teit and recreation must i>e required. That recreation being granted, it becomes & very serious question Jor those who direct and lead thought; those who control -the destinies of the young as to what that amusement is to be. (Applause.) I am speaking --now to the.fa Shew of the city, to • -•; those who have the power in their hands, and the direction of the ,you£bful mind, which ia ready always to receive anything which, oomes along- When once an impression is stamped on tbe voutihf ul mind, it is stamped iSaere'iar life. Yon may cay to yourself, 'It does not matter whab 4hey are doing at tbe rtfheaire," but you are not doing your d-uty i& you say ifcha* and leave it. Par When anything" is toad in the ifoeetm, it is your duty to condemn it, and when, anything is good, any tiling -winch, -tende to lift to higher thougjhts, and holier impulses, it ifl your ttafcy to support'it. (Appkuee.) 1 it matters not to mc mho or wbalfc you are, but if you have any porwier to direct yon should use it for good punpoeee, or you are traitors .to your oaaee. (Applause.) With respect to •&« present tour, Air J. C. Willianeon speculated £20,000 when he brooghib Hob company to Chas hemisphere. Ait my earnest requesfc be txrougbfa mc to New Zealand, for I wanted to ccc your beautiful country. Don't you think I wanted only to get profit out of it. That money, ladas9 aicd gentleanen, has been speoubobed for a purpose—oall it a commercial porpoise, it does nob matter to mc. I did not come 18,000 nrifes to play for t£e purpose of profit in a .theatre -which wOL aoft hold halt as <many«e the tfeeatre which is only a few mites i&wm mr home. (Appknse.) I hevte come 4o ccc toot country, and to combine business -with, pleasure. lam glad- to have seen your country, and hope that the performances we ib&ve green here wifl. leave a little of -vrfhat is good iofeind, and nodixng of that which is 01. (Applause.) Mr Barrett concluded by making a few spirited remarks to fhhe <menib3rs of <tihe EigbJU& Contingent who were present.