MR. HUGH WARD.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1131, 19 May 1911, Page 2

MR. HUGH WARD.

AN INTERVIEV/. NEW THEATRE FOR WELLINGTON .MOOTED. Mr. Hugh Ward, who says good-bye to Now Zealand 10-dny, possibly for a Ion? time, afforded a DoiuxioK representative- an interview yesterday, in tho course of which lie became retrospectivo and prospective by turns. "I srem to liavo becomo so much a part and parcel of your community, and everyone lias been so kind and gracious to me, that 1 hardly like going away, knowing.that it may bo years before 1 may have a chance to come back again,' said Mr. Ward. "It is the best thing on earth to feel conscious that you have' earned the esteem of .your fellow, man—all decent actious are. built \v> on. that premise—and 1 certainly feel a kind of dow , following ■in the wake of what 1 have been .afforded the opportunity of doing in New Zealand (that is, nnart from my theatrical 'work), that is altogether pleasing to me, whatever others may think, lly only fear is thr.t the Government may bo after my scalp in -mulcting them for so much in subsidies." What is the total?' "Well, with the Government subsidy we—and I inclnde- all who assisted so wonderfully—managed to raise some. £W,.000 in Wellington for Die Children's Hos,pital; then in Duncdin, I had a most delightful experience. The local. authoriies, approached me asking my assistance to finance a, new women's wing for tho hospital. What could I do but accept— there seemed to be no way out, aim what's more, I did not want one. They wanted to raise 'ioOOl), which .with th's subsidy, would give them .£II,OOO. We ■dashed into the business, . sang in the streets; Miss Palotta—who was a tower of strength-auctioned the seats for a special matinee; I was presented with tho freedom of the city (perhaps) by the university students, and generally we assisted n> raising about A'-1000. There k little doubt; that, the other ,£IOOO (and the hospital) .will bo forthcoming. It was a great time—tho money was a littlo harder to magnetise in Duncdin—a ■ citv of Scotch origin—but they responded splendidly. That .£II,OOO tacked on to Wellington's .£IO,OOO makes ,£2?,000, which is a big healthy lump of money to hold up ngaiiiit tho battalions of disease, which are always so terribly aggressive' don t you think?" And lor (ho future? "I intend to do my utmost to seo thai New Zealand is well catered for by J. C. Williamson, Ltd. 1 don't think you havo lared so badly as it is, but (hero arc .some attractions that wo have in Australia that' New Zealand does not see, and mv endeavour will l>B to see that as many of these as pcssiblb arc sent over this way in all their original completeness. Mr. Williamsou leaves for America and England on Juno 3, so that I will havo to get into harness straight away. Mr. H. B. Irving and his big London company will bo tho first big venture that I wiiThave to control. This company will open in Sydney on Juno 21 in ti magnificent production of "Hamlet." By magnificent I mean that nothing will bo spared in the way of expense to maka it a dramatic epoch. The mniillc of Sir Henry is admitted to havo fallen on to the fit shoulders of 'H. 8. ,, and there is a great treat, 1 am sure, in si'oro for lovers of tho higher drama. Following Irving coinc'i Jlcll>:i. and ihe grmiil opera company. What can one say about tin's artist, who towers head and shoulders above all other operatic sopranos in the world. Even where the world's greatest assembles, be it on Broadway oi'Covent Garden, a ".\feib.V night is a special night. With John M'Cormack and oilier j;rrat artists in her twin, Ihis company must create a sensation. Time will prevent Melba coming to New Zealand, but Irving—well, a (lying trip of (his company might be able to )m arranged. I am going to fight for it because I think it is duo (o New Zealand. "\ bit. of news that applies parlirulnrly lo Wpilinzlon—it is on llin cards Iliat wo may build a new theatre in this city. Nothing ilcfinit-j, «o far. has tieen n'rraimcd, but it is extremely probable that within r> coup!' , of years Wellington will possess one of the most up-10-datc theatres in Australasia. If the scheme comrs. off —the theatre- will be centrally situated on Ihe main tnimlin?, and equally accessible from both ends of the city, and both from the standpoint of actor and public it will ?3t a, new standard. Watch onf!" Mr. Ward leaves for Sydney to-day by the Aorangi.