Shakespeare and Pictures.

Evening Star, Issue 17719, 21 July 1921, Page 4

Shakespeare and Pictures.

At first blush it seems a shocking reflection that, while England

has at Stratford-on-Avon a memorial theatre to Shakespeare, moving picture shows should be re-

LLiIU ouvy*»o ~ quired to support it. The Germans would not bo human if they did not make capital of such a fact, while the honor they pay to the bard makes a boast of them culture. Correspondence in the British Press shows that some Englishmen haw been disturbed by the incongruous circumstance, though whether their distress has been caused more on the dramatist s account or in view of the delight which it maybe expected to afford when it is misrepresented by the Philistine is not apparent. The days are past when such scandals 1 could be hushed up or concealed. “Tell it nut in Gath; whisper it not in the streets of Askelon ” Iras become the vainest of adjurations. Though the Germans will not dwell on them, the apparent indignity from which Shakespeare has to suffer in the town of his nativity lias been caused by special circumstances, which make the course adopted by the governors of the Memorial Theatre the only one that could be expected from a practical people. If Shakespeare had only been born in London the need which has troubled them would not have arisen. Memorial festivals to the greatest poet, at which productions of his plavs are given which Shakespeare lovers from all parts of Great Britain and all parts of the world attend, are held,twice a year in Stratford. But Stratford is only a ’little town, Plays cannot bo given every night of the year there which visitors from the cities can attend. Between the periods of the festivals the theatre must be scrubbed and dusted. It requires funds for its maintenance all the year, and the moving pictures can be useful to that end. The pictures' shown are strictly regulated by the governors; but it seems doubtful if the catholic spirit of Shakespeare would be much offended by any that could be displayed. “I cannot eeo anything vulgar in a photograph, even when it moves,” writes a governor in defence of the course adopted. He has even the courage to declare that, “ having been a patron of the Shakespeare festivals for a consecutive twenty-four years, I have seen performances of ‘The Taming of the Shrew,’ ‘Tiro Merry Wives of Windsor,’ and others of Shakespeare’s plays that would make a Charlie Chaplin film seem innocent and beautiful—which it is.” -Shakespeare certainly would not have despised the pictures. He despised nothing. It is natural to think that, as a practical man, he would • have had only approval for the course which Stratford-on-Avon follows. ■ %

An extraordinary falling oS in beerdrinking is noted in and about Dunedin, especially by suburban hotelkeepers, and the .Otago’breweries are finding a marked slackening in orders from the north. Questions on the subject leadto the belief that such is the experience right through New Zealand. There is usually a slight falling off in beer when the winter cold sets in, but tho reduction noted this year goes quite beyond tho normal, and nobody can account for it except by tho suggestion that unemployment, _or the dread of unemployment, is inducing economy and a cutting out of luxuries. Viewed* in that light, whilst the reason is to be deeply regretted, it is a sign of virility in the* community that it has the courage to abstain from needless expenditure. The dolour must bo somewhat acute when retrenchment reaches as deep as John Barleycorn. “Interested” wishes to know whether tho Mayor of Dunedin is doing'anything in the direction of making a half-holiday on the occasion of tho match between the 'Springboks and Otago, The answer is that llis Worship is to he scan about this matter by the Eugby Union to-mor-row.

The Telegraph Department's staff at Dunedin is now in full occupation of the old Custom-house. This week the chamber formerly in use as the long room of the Customs has been taken in as the telegram delivery room, Mr Thomas and his messengers shifting into this commodious apartment from the smaller and somewhat inconvenient place, the entrance to which is from Bond street. A Lamsou tube carries the telegrams from the operating room to the new despatch room, from whence tho messengers issue. The public are interested in the change by reason of the fact that from Sunday next all telegrams received for transmission on Sundays, also on ordinary days after 9 p.m., must be presented at tho counter in the new despatch room; and lurthei', tho public telephone is now installed in the same room.

One of the points made by the fruiterers’ deputation to the City Council last night was that the restrictions stated as to sites of barrows would not prevent barrows standing in front of or very near tomny big shop ou the main thorough) are south of° Stafford street or north of Frederick street, nor keep tho out- of the Octagon. Another argument was. that the fruiterers, iu common with other ratepayers, have been asked to pay rates in advance, and that it would be a poor return for doing so to admit competition by persons who pay no rates. Discussing plans for tho now city administrative block iu Manchester street, the mayor (Dr Thacker, M.P.) said the other day: Wc have the full lay-out ready for the new offices and the new concert chamber. Tho concert chamber will have minimum seating accommodation for 2,647 people, and there will be provision for a legitimate stage, for the first unit of an organ, and for orchestra concerts, as well as ior luncheon rooms, lounge, and kitchen. The special committee will meet on Friday afternoon, and if the plans are approved the town clerk will go ahead with tho loan proposals.”

At the meeting of the Education Board to-day the chairman (Mr J. Wallace) drew attention to a city school where the junior teachers were being debarred from using tho teachers’ room. The same position had arisen some months ago, and he had lately received complaints _of its recurrence. No teacher had any right to turn a junior teacher out into tho cold to eat his lunch. He _ hoped such a thing would not occur again.

The Medical Superintendent of the Dunedin Hospital wrote to thoriast meeting of tho St. John Ambulance Association calling attention to tho meritorious services rendered to a boy named F. Clarkson by Messrs J. E. Bone and J. Hill in February last. The lad had placed a quantity of phosphorous in his pocket, which ignited and set fire to his clothing, and but for the prompt ami efficient action of tho gentlemen named his life would undoubtedly have been lost in a particularly painful manner. Both gentlemen were severely burned, and in Mr Bono’s case it was probable that some permanent disability to one hand would remain. It was decided to send on tho report to headquarters,. London, with a recommendation for suitable recognition. In connection with’ the finding of a newly-born infant’s body in Auckland Gaol, Flora Ellen Waito (thirty-one) was charged at tho Police Court this morning with concealment of birth. Accused was too ill to attend, and was remanded till the 27th.—P.A. telegram,

The Arbitration Court sat in Chambers this morning to hear A matter which it was contended caused an overlapping of the awards as effecting the engineers and sheet-metal workers. An Auckland Press Association message stales that the Primary School CommUtces’ Association carried a motion approving of tho concentration of orders for school stationery, and recommended tho executive to call for tenders for six months’ supplies, on conditions enabling all committees to purchase at a uniform rate. The chairman stated that there were sixty committees, whoso purchases, at an average of £4O per annum, would mean a contract of from £2,000 to £3,000 yearly. The gift of £4,000 docs not very often fall into anyone's lap, and seldom into the coffers of any of tho churches; but the Rev. J. A. Lochore, superintendent of the Auckland East Methodist circuit, has received the promise of this sum in order that an up-to-date church may be built in, and in keeping with, the beautiful suburb of Remuera (says the ‘Herald’). A suitable site has been secured in Vincent avenue, near the Remuera road, but sufficiently distant from tho tram traffic. It is part of the Cotter estate, and as it is on the highest part of Remuera. the building, when erected, will no, visible from o\ciy For tilic piosGiib trTic donors sire to remain anonymous, the only conditions attached to‘the promise arc that tho entire amount nnisb_ bo put on the structure and its furnishings and not on tho site, and that the’ structure must bo in brick and tile. The work wi 1 not be ■put in hand until the financial market becomes a Utile easier; but preparations will bo made, so that no unnecessary delay will tako place. ' In the Police Court to-day a first offender for drunkenness was fined 10s in default forty-eight hours’, imprisonment. His Honor Mr Justice Sim (at present in Wellington) has granted probate m flicestates of Maria, Clark, James Taylor, M,arv Black, Adam Braudigam, David Bower, and Francis Sprague. In re A. Steven and Co., Ltd., v. Fleming ana Co., Ltd., a summons for an order to take evidence in Palmerston North, an order has been made accordingly. In the'Supreme Court (says an Auckland telegram) Mr Justice Adams made an order winding up Mataia, Ltd., winch is a company of two persons, torn directors—viz., Garrett P. Barry and David Robinson—the-- application being made by the former and opposed bv the lauei. The company had acquired land at mipara for £12,350, of which £11,125 remained on mortgage, and tho balance-sheet showed that tho company lost £B2O m eleven months. In connection with tho murder of tho young man Jew at Auckland, a gentleman (whols a groat lover of an intelligent dog) remarked to an Auckland ‘ Star representative ; “ If only our Police Force had some bloodhounds, the perpetrator of that crime at Grey Lvnn would soon be traced. In Manchester,'in 1876. a little girl disappeared. Four days afterwards a bloodhound was called into requisition, smelled some of the child’s clothing, and then led the police to a house. Upon entering, the dog went to a chimney and barked up it. Tho result was that the body of the murdered child was recovered and the nccnoant of the house expiated his crime. In this Grey Lynn case there was the paling alongside, the body, and a welltrained dog would soon have traced the person who had handled it.

Watson’s No. 10 is a little dearer than most whiskies, but is worth the money.— [Advi.l Gratitude abounds on every hand for tho wonderful labor-saving and perfect cleansing qualities of “No Rubbing’’ Laundry Help. Is packet does 7 weekly washings perfectly. Otago Farmers’ Association, agents for “No Rubbing.”—[AdvtJ

“ Cheerio." Conviviality and friendship eugscst the beat—Watson's No. 10 Whisky. —[Advt.] Tho United Starr-Bowkctt Building Society advertises £3,000 _ for clisposid on August 25. . Applications invited new No. 6 group, commencing September. School .bags, hoys’ and girls’, 2s 6d, 3s 9d, 4s 9d, So 6d up. Todd’s White Houso Arcade, George street.—[Advt.] Ladies recommend Martin’s Apiol and Steel Pills. Sold by, all chemists and stores. Sco you get tho genuine.—[Advt.]