TROUBLES OF AN ACTRESS.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14380, 13 June 1912, Page 8

TROUBLES OF AN ACTRESS.

MISS MARIE BAINES INSOLVENT. Miss Marie Baines, or, in private life, Mrs Mario Mather, played the role of a bankrupt,at the Official Assignee's office yesterday, when a meeting of her creditors was held. Mrs Mather was represented by Mr Nicholls. Mr Leathern appeared for Mr M. Lyons, and Mr Cassidy for Messrs Leslie and Young, members of Miss Baines's company.

Mrs Mather, in her written statement, said that she was an actress. She had arrived in New Zealand on January Ist, 1912, with a comedy company. Her departure from England was delayed through the coal strike, and through that she had lost tho Christmas dates- She entered into partnership with Mr Brisbane Boyle as from January Ist, and he acted as business manager. It was a term of tho partnership that accounts should bo rendered monthly. Theso" she • had never .had. She - had only received dribs arid drabs for board. The West Coast season was riot good, but the Auckland and Wellington seasons were excellent. She dissolved partnership with Mr Doyle-on the grounds of failure to account-on May 25th. Tho members of the company who had not been paid sued'her as a member of tho partnership. She was unable to carry on the Christchurch season because the company, very naturally, refused to play for tlte benefit of execution creditors, iand she was obliged to give up the Christchurch dates as lessee of the Theatre Royal. Her business manager and accountant took over the dates and rearranged the company, including herself at a salary of £10 per week. Her reason for entering into this arrangement was her desire not to see the company stranded. The unsecured creditors were:—M. Lyoiis, hotelkoeper £105, *tho Criterion Hotel (Wanganui) £26. .Miss Goreding £33 10s, Miss Perle £50. Miss Mather £13, S. Leslie £20, A. Young £20, J. Henderson £20, l>. Aitken £10, P- Devereux £38.105, E. Vivian £27, these being members ot' the company. Tho bankrupt's total liabilities amounted to £369, unsecured creditors. She said her assets were nil. In answer to the Assignee's question, Mrs Mather said that when she opened in Christohurch there were Wo executions against her. Her counsel explained that after this the company was really a co-operative-concern so that it could carry on. They wore all to receiv© wages. Mrs Mather: liut 1 did not get the £30 stipulated in the agreement. The Assignee: Then the Christchurch season did not meet the arrangements ? Mrs Mather: Not properly. Ono of the old members of the company said he had not been in mat arraagemeut. He had been in Wellington. Mr Leathern: You were left in the lurch? Mr Leathern ashed Mrs Mather if she intended to wave New Zealand now.

Mrs Mather: Oh, no. It would be a. long swim. Counsel: She can't get away. Mrs Mather said ?ho could start playing again if the public would stand her. A member of the company: If the landlords will let us! Mrs Mather: Well, a landlord in Wanganui has my dressing-case. 1 had lots of things when I left Home, but they went gradually. To Mr Ca&sidy, bankrupt said that Mr Doylo .had not shown her any statements "in Wellington or in Auckland. Mr Doyle had handled the money. Mr Cassidy: - Is that not unusual for an actress of your experience? Mrs Mather: I am an ignorant woman. 1 am trustful on tho stage and off. If 1 had not been so trusting, I would not bo sitting her© talking to you now. The Assignee: It is a distressing matter altogether. Nothing further can be done just now. The meeting was adjourned sine die.