HOLDING THE STAGE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11511, 18 February 1903, Page 7

HOLDING THE STAGE.

The St. Arnaud correspondent of the Melbourne "Argua" reports a rather exciting theatrical incident. It neems that the Mayor visited the local town hall, where tlie Corricks' Company of Entertainers were billed to appear, and found that the hall piano had been removed from a landing on to the stage, in contravention of a resolution of the Borough Council. Mr Corrick, eenr,, was present, and the Mayor demanded that the piano should be returned to the landing adjacent to the stage. Mr Corrick said he would not allow the piano to be touched. The Mayor retired and returned a little later with Mr Geyer, the borough gardener, Mr Smead, the road inspector, and Mr J. Anderson, junr., assistant tp the town clerk. Tlie party attempted to scale the platform, but were prevented by Mr Corrick. During a brief respite, Mr Corrick exclaimed, "Wait till I arm myself," and departed behind the scenes. " He returned with a bucket of water, and threatened to drench anyone who approached the piano. Mr Geyer, the gardener, who was covered in mud, having arrived from working in the bed of a lake, bounded on to the platform, and a wrestling encounter ensued between him and Mr Corrick, the latter becoming covered in mud from tlie gardener's embrace. Tho Mayoral party etood by and waited developments. After an exhausting struggle the combatanta released their hold and etood trembling. Mr Corrick, when he recovered his breath, cent a boy for the police. Mounted-Con-stable Heny was promptly on the scene, and Mr Corrick asked him to take the Mayor in charge. Tlie constable declined, and advised Mr Corrick to get a warrant. A palaver ensued, and eventually the difficulty was got over by the Mayor refunding the money paid for the hire of the piuno. and Mr Corrick giving his consent to the assistants coming on to the stage to remove the piano. Mr Corrick obtained a piano from a, private source for the entertainment.