FORTY-FOUR YEARS TO-DAY

Evening Star, Issue 15268, 21 August 1913, Page 6

FORTY-FOUR YEARS TO-DAY

Instructions have boen given under warrant to the Commissioner of Police to prosecute all persons found selling arms and ammunition without a license-, or of selling them under any circumstances to Maoris. The police through. out the country have strict orders to bring any infraction of this law under the notice of the Commissioner, who is further required to lav an information.—From the ' Evening Star/ August 21, 1860. *******

The performances at the Princess last night wore for the benefit of Mrs Harry Jackson, whose appeal for public support was rewarded by a crowded house. In the principal piece, 'Helping Hands,' Mrs Jackson was supported by Messrs tt. P. Whitworth, 0. \\ lute, J. M. Fisher, A. Geddes. Miss Fordo, who played the part of Miss Hartiiiann, introduced ' Auld Robin Gray, which she sang very nicelv, and was deservedly applauded. The drams was followed by a danco bv Mr Hanigan and a ballet; which went off we)!, the announced afterpiece was ' Handy Andy, m which the principal character was to have been played bv an amateur, aMr Heming. The curtain rose to tba piece but before the first net was coneluded the curtain was dropped, it being but too apparent that it was onlj being made a farce of. Whether or not Mr Fleming was suffering from extreme nervousness, as was stated, we do not know. But this we do know: he had not the slightest idea of playing the part. . . . After the fall of the curtain, the greater portion of the occupants of the dress circle having retired, Mr Forde came forward, and on behalf of the management claimed the indulgence of the audience. • The latter, apparently not satisfied, caller] for the stage manager, who at .length made his appearance, which, however, did not have the desired effect. The audience insisted on Mr Sim'monds giving a song, which lie declined to do. Then they got up a demonstration by stamping their feet, and Mr Simmonds afterwards put it to the audience whether the play should be proceeded with, the result being a, unanimous answer in the affirmative. After a delay it was found impracticable to do so, and Mr Simmonds announced that the farce of ' The Wandering Minstrel ' would be substituted. The farce was played, the performers in it who had played in the other piece being greeted with a round of applause on their appearance. At 1 o'clock this morning the performance* terminated.