IN THE EARLY DAYS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 473, 3 April 1909, Page 12

IN THE EARLY DAYS.

REMINISCENCES OF A PUBLIC SERVANT. EXPERIENCE AS A STAGE MANAGER. (BT TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL COKRESPONDINT.) Cliristchuroh, April 2. Mr. E. W. Seager, usher and librarian at tho Supreme Court, retired under the superannuation provision on Wednesday. Mr. Seager joi;i:d tho services of tho Goneral Government on December 20, 1851, as a private in tho Armed Constabulary. Ho rccoived tho munificent salary of 2s. 6d. a day,_ and had to find his own uniform, which consisted of a blue jumper, navy cap, high leather stock, and duck trousers. After a fow months the pay was raised to ss. a day. When he had spont several months as a private, the young constable was raised to the rank of corporal, and was pjaced in charge of the local force. Mr. Seager tells with many reminiscent smiles, how his men used to go round, at eleven each night, to clear the hotel bars. By tho time the round was completed the oiiicors were usually in o£ mellow a state as thoir friends, for at each hotel they were liberally treated. Mr. Soagor was afterwards placed in charge of the whole district, tho boundaries being the New Brighton beach, the West Coast,- and the Hurunui and Waitaki Rivers.

Speaking of tho amusements of that period, Mr. Seager recalled the first dramatic coiupany, which consisted mostly of amateurs, including Mr. Seager, as stage manager. There was an orchestra of piano, violin, and trombone, and the company produced "Othello," "The Lady of Lyons," and other classics. Tho luxury of a scenic artist was not obtainable, and the wings consisted of green blankets, and flnx and manuka for exteriors, and bluo blanket? for tho interior. Tho first performance of "Othello" ■ remains vividly in Mr. Scagor's memory. In tho sceno where tho Moor returns from tho wars, his entranco is hernlded by a fanfaro of trumpets. There were no trumpets in Canterbury, and on that night tho trombone member of the orchestra was indisposed. Mr. Seager volunteered to blow tho fanfaro on tho trombone, and ho was standing with tho instrument in his hand when Mr. Bradwoll, who was playing Othello, appeared at tho opposite wing. The stage manager blew, and blew, but could' not get a note from the trombone, and Othello glared and toro his hair. Finally Mr. Seager pulled the slide, and a beautiful scale passage was the result. Tho audience shrieked with laughter, and Mr. Bradwell dashed, across the stage and pursued his unfortunate manager down into the audience. Mr. Seager managed to ovnde Othello's fury by hiding in a flax bush, and after a little while explanations were offered, and tho play proceeded tranquilly. Mr. Seager was promoted to inspector of police later on, and also carried out the duties of immigration officer, prosecutor under tho Arms Act, and other work in connection with patrols. He recollects a very pleasant duty that devolved upon him at that time. An institution in England forwarded by each ship a number of single women, and the authorities had somo trouble and anxiety in studying their welfare, and ultimato destination. Young men would ofton call at Mr. Seager's ollico, state that they were comfortably settled on farms, and ask liiin tn pick out wives for them. Aft£r tho young man had interviewed several of tho newcomers, he would generally find ono to suit him, and Mr. Seager often had to act as best man and bridesmaid, and so were many marriages made in Lyttcltou.

The first man locked up and fined in Christchurch was the übiquitous "drunk." In 1853, Mr. Seager found a gentleman in morry mood who was smashing windows. As thero was no lock-up ho was handcuffed round a verandah post on the corner of Colombo and Armagh Streets, and was fined £o next day. Ho was never seen again, but a skeleton found in tho River Styx later on was supposed to be his.