A SHAKESPEARE SEASON.

Evening Star, Issue 18157, 23 December 1922, Page 6

A SHAKESPEARE SEASON.

That anyone should be able to support for two years, in Australia and New Zealand, a dramatic company concerned exclusively with the production of Shakespearean plays might easily have been thought impossible a short time ago. Mr Allan Wilkie has not only performed the feat, but there seems no reason why he shopld not go on playing Shakespeare to crowded audiences till his present actors are all reduced to the old men’s parts. Apparently that is his own view of the prospects, because, having produced already fifteen of the dramas, a quite unusual record, he has only been encouraged in his ambition to go on adding play to play until he shall have produced them all. The success he has achieved already makes a remarkable tribute to the vitality of the dramatist, the interpretative powers of Mr Wilkie’s company, inspired by his enthusiasm, and the capacity of Australians and New Zealanders to know and love the best when it As given them, which in dramatic matters has not been so often as one could wish.

The triumph is no new one for Shakespeare. “He was the man,” it was well said by Dryden, born only fifteen years after his death, “who of- all modern and perhaps ancient poets had the largest and most comprehensive soul. All the images of Nature were still present to him; and he drew them not laboriously, hut luckily [which is to say, felicitously]. When ho describes anything you more than see it,

you feel it, too. . . . And however others are now generally preferred before him, yet the ago wherein he lived, which had contemporaries with him, Fletcher and Jonson, never equalled them to him iu their esteem. And in the last King’s Court, while Ben’s reputation was at the highest. Sir John Suckling, and with him the greater part of the courtiers, set our Shakespeare far above him.” 'j3o much fox the J»,J[th that tlia, world’s

supreme dramatist was not well known or particularly honored in his lifetime, and there have been few ages in which ho has not been honored since. Time cannot stale bis infinite variety or make bis wisdom less. As, to Mr Wilkie’s method of producing nothing except Shakespearean plays, it is the only way by which any actor can come to have the largest knowledge of Shakespeare, and so learn to interpret him most truly. The great plays must bo lived with to bo really known. They are not made to alternate with ‘Paddy the Next Best Thing’ and ‘The Bat.’ John Eidd, who was “an ignoramus,” and only, in matters of learning, “pretty well for a yeoman,” probably understood, as well as appreciated, them better than many of the scholars, through making of their wisdom his daily companion, and we have no doubt that those will enjoy most the performances to bo given next week ip Dunedin by Mr Wilkie’s company wlio have seen its members in the same plays before. It is an appetite which grows naturally with eating, which makes the best prospect for Mr Wilkie, who, in presenting as many plays as he has shown, has done much to spread a liberal education, being able to produce them for years to come.

No publication of the * Star ■’ on Monday. Leonard Walter Makin, who was arrested at Mastertou_ yesterday for forgery, has been remanded to appear at Wellington on December 29. Accused opened an account at Palmerston North with £24, with instructions that it was to be operated on at Carterton. Ho visited Carterton yesterday morning and drew a cheque for £2O, which was honored. He then presented a cheque for £650, drawn on the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Loan Account, but it was refused, as the manager had been warned. Makin asked for an advance of £2OO to buy a car, but it, too, was refused, so he left the hank. The manager followed him to the railway station, where both hoarded the express. On arrival at Masterton the manager pointed Makin out to a constable, who arrested him. It is believed that accused had issued five cheques totalling £3,000.

Regarding the Eev. S. Robertson Orr’s case, which has been before the Wellington Presbytery, the following report was adopted last night:—“The committee, having heard the Rev.. J. Gibson Smith read the relevant portions of the documents in his custody and also the Rev. Robertson Orr in reply to the same, is of opinion that the latter’s actions have been in some respects unwise and calculated to lead to misunderstandings, but that no grounds have been furnished for charges of a moral character against Mr Orr.” The report was adopted unanimously.

The hours of attendance at the Telegraph Office at Christmastide will be: — Sunday, 24th, 10 to 10.30 a.m. and 5 to 5.30 p.m.; Christmas Day, 10 to 10.30 a.m. and 5 to 5.30 p.m.; Boxing Day, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. to midnight. Cable messages conveying Christmas and New Year greetings, addressed to any place in tho United Kingdom or to Canada, will bo accepted up to and including the 31st. Radio telegrams conveying Christmas and New Year greetings to Apia and Rarotonga will he accepted up to and including January 5. All post offices will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, and open in all branches, except money order and savings bank, on Boxing Day from 9to 10 a.m. There will be no delivery by postmen on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, and on Boxing Day there is to be one complete delivery by postmen in the forenoon.

A district resident "who was at the Dunedin -wool sites on Tuesday told a little anecdote at tho Owaka Snow that was illustrative /of (the unexpectedly Iteigh values realised at tho sales iff question. A runhoklwr from the Lakes district, who had sent forward a largo parcel of wool in the expectation of getting 12d a lb, was astonished and delighted to secure 22d a lb —‘ Free Press.’ The Clutlia ‘Free Press’ records that times hard-faced citizens unsuccessfully endeavored to tempt the occupants of a crowded second class smoker coming from tho Chvaka Show on Wednesday afternoon into tho delights of a game of chance with cards known as “ banker.” The three men spread an overcoat in the customary inviting manner of railway train' card players, and had) left a place vacant, but no one evinced a desire to “sit in” and partake of the “easy money” that passed) teo freely between the trio. ■ Invitations to “make a bet" drew only a smilo from tho men in the carriage, who, although for the most part “ country-bred,” were by no means “countrified.” Then tho game of “two-up,” commonly supposed, to be prohibited, was introduced. Still no one wanted to “head ’em” except tho three “sports” aforementioned, who soon tired of the game of playing with their own money. Even tho sight of a bulky “ wad” of notes had no effect. Times have indeed changed since tho old' days of thimbte-rigging, when it was “dead easy” to “skin” tho rustic throng. Mr Peter Barr forwards £1 Is towards the Christmas Cheer Fund.

Asked as to tho response to the “ Christmas Cheer” appeal in connection "with, the Men's Mission, tho Rev. Y. Q. Bryan King said that it had exceeded all expectations. Within a few days considerably over £IOO was sent by all classes of tho community, amongst tho donations being two of £3O and £2O respectively from anyonymous donors. Accompanying Bomo of the donations were notes of a most sympathetic nature, obviously “ widows’ mites.” The Rev. G. E. Moreton has had a particularly busy time dispensing the good things sent or procured. A larger number than usual have been assisted this year, and the majority of them are helped by no other organisation. Inquiries this morning elicited the fact that the Christmas trade this year has been extremely satisfactory as far as Dunedin is concerned. Business boomed so welt'in the earlier part of tho week that it was generally anticipated that there would be a decided slump before tho shutters were put up for the holidays; but the results demonstrated that there was no cause for such a pessimistic prediction. There was a slight lull in tho morning yesterday, but a great rush eet in after dinner, and most of the larger establishments were under pressure .fintil closing time. It was generally agreed that yesterday’s takings were far in excess of those for Christmas Eve of last year.

Although the Yulotide festival provides an excuse for undue merrymaking on tho part of some, there was little evidence amongst tho large crowds that paraded the streets yesterday of any tendency towards baoohanal riotousness. Sub-in-epeotor Eccles stated this morning that the behaviour of those in the streets was exemplary, and this was borne out by tho fact that there was a dean sheet at lire Police Court this morning. Tho concourse of shoppers did not seem to bo so large in tho evening as was the case last year, but this would-probably be explained by the fact that the streets appeared, to be much busier in the afternoon than is generally the case. The edicts issued by the police against the cracker nuisance evidently had a salutary effect, as except for an occasional detonator being thrown amongst the crowd there was practically no evidence of this dangerous practice. A visit to' Dyer’s Pass was paid by a number of very* old members of the Veterans’ Association (states tho Christchurch ‘ Pices ’). Tho party was taken up under .the supervision of the president of the association, and members _ afterwards signed their names in the visitors’ book as follow William Choate, Crimea, Royal Artillery, 1854; Richard Harris, Indian Mutiny, Lucknow, 1857; John Btinnear, Asliantee Expedition, 1873; Howard Strong, Wanganui Volunteers; Duncan Dewar (90 years 11 months), Crimea, 70lh Regiment; E. H. Jenkins, Transport, Balaclava, 1854; Wesley Smith, Royal Navy, 1868 (Taranaki); Robert Edgeworth, 12th Regiment, A.G,

Christmas is over a popular time for marriages, and this year, as usual, it has meant a busy time for the local registrar (Mr A. R. Kennedy). This morning he performed two ceremonies within an hour, and dealt with too other applications for licenses. He states, however, that the rush is not quite as marked as at Christmas of previous years.

“There is a certain man (says the Eketahuna 1 Express ’) who deliberately puts a saddle and bridle on his horse and then turns it out on the road for grazing. The idea is to give the ranger the impression that he has just loft the hoi’s© to go into the house,” 'was a statement made at the Comity Council meeting. “ 'They'll be,putting harness on cows yet and turning Diem on the roads,” 'remarked a councillor. A compliment to the graces of the ladies of New Zealfind was paid by Mr R. J. Archibald, president of the Queensland Bowling Club, when speaking at the smoke concert given by the Wellington Bowling Centre, Mr Archibald said that ho would always bo proud of the ladies of Australia—he had married one himself —but ho declared that, after sec>g the ladies of the dominion, lie would not be a stumbling block to either of the two bachelors of the Queensland howling team taking ■hack to Australia a New Zealand wife. (Laughter and applause.) The waterfront was fairly busy to-day, when the wharves wore occupied by the overseas steamers Kent and Maimoa, the intercolonial steamer Paloona, and the coaster Breeze. It was anticipated that discharging operations would commence on the Maimoa (which reached port at an early hour from London and Auckland) this morning, but, as no waterside labor was available, the vessel will now remain idle mi til operations are resumed at 8 a.m. on Wednesday. Several gangs were engaged in discharging Home cargo from the Kent, and men were employed up to midday discharging the Paloona’s fruit shipments from Melbourne, while others were engaged in loading operations on the Breeze. There was a noticeable absence of genera] activity on the wharves in the morning, and the labor shortage was probably due to Die fact that a number of the men had already commenced the season’s festivities, and preferred to wait until Wednesday for a fresh start. The balance of the Paloona’s cargo will ho discharged on that day, and, as the Breeze was not able to complete loading in time to leave to-day for way ports and Wanganui, she also will not get aw r ay until about Thursday next. The Kent should be clear of her local cargo on Thursday. She will then commence Homeward loading at Port Chalmers. The Maimoa has about 1,500 tons of English cargo for discharge here, so that employment will bo found for about eighty waters! dors for two or three days when operations are resumed.

“ A Iferper Street Resident,” in a letter to the editor of Die ‘ Lyttelton Times,’ eupffiiefi some hiteresDng facts about one of Canterbury’s pioneers: “In a recent edition of your paper I noticed that several correspondents had sent in the ages of their rela.tives who had walked to the polling booth to vote. May I state that Air Joseph Irving, of Harper street, Sydenham, who ifi in his, ninety-sixDi year, not only walked to the polling booth, bub also walks to the Salvation Army meeting every Sunday. Up Dll two months ago Mr Irving has always attended to his own garden. Ho has been in the colonies for nearly sixty years.”

An old man wishing to invest £IOO in war bonds recently toddfed to the public counter at a certain post office not 100 miles from Stratford (states tho Stratford ‘ Evening Post ’) and made known his wants. Ho was referred to the money order department, and repeated them. Then, with shaking hand, he took his cheque book from the inside pocket of his coat, and handed it to tho clerk with a request to fill it in for the amount named and lie would sign. Tho clerk gruffly replied that he had no time to do eo, and that when tho customer presented the cheque properly filled in he would bo attended to I The old man,, with still shakier hand, returned the book to his inside pocket again and slowly went away. “My Wood baited at such treatment of tho old fellow," said an eyo-witness when relating tho incident. ''“That’s not rod tape either—it’s amazing impertinence and dis-, respect for age that is growing far too common nowadays!” ' This year the. Mosgiel school prizes were presented tho day prior to the annual concert, tho function taking place in the Presbyterian Church Hall. 'The chlirman of the school committee and tire local clergymen briefly addressed the' students, and tho prizes were then' distributed. The next night the annual concert was given, and the attendance of parents and friends was, as usual, very large. In fact, this concert can be truthfully said to draw the record house tor Mosgiel each year. _ To put on something fresh and entertaining every succeeding December means no small task on tho resources of tho teaching staff; but they always'succeed ini placing tho scholars on the stage before their parents and friends in a highly creditable performance. This year’s programme was equal to anything staged previously—in) some cases superior. Pretty dances, tuneful choruses, marches, and ao on- entertained tho audience for a couple of hours, and the programme concluded' with a wellacted ' play, ‘ Unappreciated l Genius,’ by Standard VI. girls. Mr Jack (head master) and his staff are to be congratulated.

Members of the -theatrical profession, good fellows as most of them are, naturally mako hundreds of friends during their tours to all comers of the earth, and such is tho ever-changing nature of their venue that one could hardly blame them {says a writer in tho Christchurch 1 Press ’) if the old saw ‘‘out of sight out of mind” applied to most of them. However, they are notoriously good at remembering “old cronies,” but that fine old comedian and gentleman, Bland Holt, must surely be in a class by himself. Though ho has been for many years residing privately in Melbourne, tne quondam famous actor-manegor-producer never forgets to send a card to old friends when the festive season is due, and the latest mail from Victoria brought a number of characteristic cards to tno dominion from him, and his Christchurch friends were not forgotten. Originality is always tho keynote of Bland Holt’s Christmas greeting. His card this year has an emblematic picture covering the inside double page. The year 1922 is seen going up in smoke, and tho little god or 1923, with an open bag of highly cheerful prospects, ia wending his happy way from Great Britain towards tho Gate of Independence, causing old Father Time to drop his scythe and his glass in apprehension. The figure of Time himself is emblematic of progress, for his face is less grim than heretofore, he has discarded his flowing robes lor a prospector’s garb, and he -smokes an up-to-date briar. Australia, full of promise, but yet in its babyffiood, is shown in a bottom corner, with good prospects and thousands of new eons and daughters flocking towards her, “The Land of Dreams Come True.” The cheerful verses of Bland Holt’s own composition, and written in his own unmistakable and artistic hand, cover tho rest of the card, and they and the design of the picture are wholly typical of the genial comedian's bright outlook of life.

The Post Office must bo making quits n considerable profit on remittances to the United States at the present time (states a Taranaki exchange). At the beginning of May last a local resident bad occasion to remit to an American publishing firm a sum of four dollars, for which lie had to pay 18s 7d and in addition tho commission of sixpence. The exchange rate between London and New York was at that time 4.44 dollars to the pound _ sterling. That left the Post Office a fair profit. Last week the same price (18s 7dj was charged for a similar remittance of four dollars, though tire pound sterling is now worth 4.69 dollars, so that the department’s profit on the transaction is 25 cents, or a shilling, more than in May. But a month ago the same person had occasion to remit a sum of £25 to America. This- was done through a bank, and the only charge made was Is 3d, the full amount of £25 paid into the bank hero being paid at the bank in America. In a, word, it cost 19s Id to meet a payment of 16s 8d through the Post Office, and £25 Is 3d to meet a payment of £25 through ihe bank.

All the local shipping offices closed their doors from noon to-day for the holiday season. Each office will reopen on Thursday morning next. For the convenience of intending passengers, a clerk will be in attendance at the passenger department of the Union Company’s office from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday. The main office in the Harbor Board’s building will ho closed on Monday and Tuesday. Most of the board’s officials connected with the actual shipping work of the port, how'evor, will be on duty throughout the holidays. Included in the cargo discharged at Dunedin to-day from the steamer Paloona from Melbourne was a consignment of Australian fruit. Altogether about 1,000 cases were landed shortly after the vessel had berthed at the cross wharf. The consignment includes 100 cases of Italy-grown lemons. These have reached a ready market, and comprise the first shipment of Italian lemons brought to Dunedin for several years. The bulk of the fruit consists of oranges, and there is also a small .quantity of Queensland-grown bananas. Another welcome shipment is about 300 cases of Melbourne onions. The local market has been in short supply for some time, and the Paloona’s shipment will bo quickly absorbed. Other cargo brought by the steamer consists of transhipments from European, Mediterranean, Eastern, and American ports. A Wanganui Association message states that a stop-work meeting of the local branch of the Waterside Workers’ Union decided not to work on Sundays at the reduced rate of pay fixed recently by the Arbitration Court. Consequently no Sunday work will b© done on the Port Victor, which left last night, the men refusing engagements. Building in Dunedin is much brisker than at the same time last year. According to Die city building surveyor’s books, the money value of erections and additions in Dunedin and suburbs (excluding St. Kilda) for the period from April 1 to November 30 is eet down at £221,787, or £79,667 more than for the corresponding period of 1921. New residences account for_ most of the increase, and it is'in Maori Hill and Anderson Bay that dwellings have been and are going up at Die greatest rate. Mr Gough’e figures show that twenty-four residences were built in “the Bay” from April 1 to November 30 this year, as against fifteen in Die same term last year; whilst tho increase in Maori Hill is from eight to twenty-one. Christmas wishes received (and heartily reciprocated) from tho executive of tho Otago District, M.U.1.0.0.F., and the staff of the district traffic manager’s office. The Lev. Father Ooffey, when, last heard from, was living wiDi relatives in County Tipperary. Here are some extracts from his letter written on September 9 and) addressed to a friend! in Dunedin i “W© have no post, no telegrams, no trains. Plenty of armed) men and ambushes —four yesterday in Die middle of the day in populous streets of Dublin. I think Ireland as a large lunaDc asylum at the present day, and the lunacy is not on any one side—it is evident everywhere. The railways are taken up as fast as they are .put down. The signal stations are all burned. As I have a motor car I can got about, but the roads are blocked. ,Sb we are in Queer street. The papers giro not publishing half or quarter of what takes place. According to them, the battle was won long ago. It is far from being won, and may net he for years—■ not until Die country is not fit to live in except for rats. Still the people’s faith in God is wonderful. It is now all jealousy between Die leaders, and both sides are to blame. There are at present no less than five or six strong and) numerous parties in Ireland fighting against one another or looking for the loaves and fishes. Pure looters are taking advantage to rob all they can. Whilst the vast majority of the people are really good', and Ml of faith and piety, and nice to meet and talk to, and sick of the whole political situaDon, tho disturbers are having their own way, and no one is caught or punished. Such is the real situation. When you consider that only a few people in eveiy parish are doing all the evil, and the rest are so nice and good, you simply mdrvol and give up reasoning.. Thank God, my own l people are very well and so far have nos been, molested by cither side.”

The Dunedin Highland Pips Band, twenty-two strong, in charge of Pipemajor Smith, left for Wellington, to-day by the 11.16 express, to take part in tho bands contest. Crowds of welhvishers exchanged good wishes with, the band as tho train moved off.

The railway passenger traffic to and from the Dunedin station this morning creates a record. There were two trains for Central Otago, the 7.62 having nine carriages and the 8.48 seven carriages, all full. The departures for the north reached the dimensions of a multitude. The 7.50 train consisted of nine carriages, the 8.5 had thirteen, tho 10.30 also thirteen, and the 11.15 had to be lengthened to eighteen, or, with tho mail and luggage vans, twenty—the maximum allowed on the Dunedin-Palmerston section. As to the south-bound trains, tho 8.30 to Gore consisted of twelve carriages, the 8.45 to Invercargill eleven, and the 9 a.m. train to Balclutha ten carriages. Every train named was fully loaded. To manage such heavy traffic called for much thinking and much but everything went on smoothly. The inward' Ibading was also a record, or very near it. The train due from the south at 11.15 consisted of eighteen carriages carrying 452 passengers. Replying to a Christchurch telegram regarding an alleged draft list of Liberal Ministers, Mr Wilford says:—“This is Reform propaganda from Christchurch. I understand the quarter from which it originates. Cabinet-making has never been considered or discussed by myself or my executive.”—Wellington Association message.

This morning at 7 o’clock a party of 18 members of the Y.M.C.A. left in a motor lorry for Lake Manapouri. The party, which is led by Mr Robin Adair, propose making a base camp at the lake and walking over Murrell’s Track to Doubtful Sound. A special feature of the outing will he daily studies of the flora and fauna of the district. It is expected to secure some unique photographs among tho twelve cameras that accompany tho campers. The members and adherents of the Anderson Bay Presbyterian Church have passed the following resolution:—“ We learn with pleasure and pride that our minister, Rev. G. H. Jupp, has been chosen by tho General Assembly to fill the honorable and responsible position of convener of the Foreign Missions Committee, the office which Professor Hewitson has occupied with growing distinction for twenty-one years. It is a great tribute to Air Jupp’s administrative ability and sound judgment, and a striking indication of the esteem with which he is regarded in the church courts that ho should be called to be the leader in this work, a work which, wonderfully as it has developed during the past years, is even now only on tho threshold of its possibilities, and wo pray and trust that God wi]J so amplify and enrich those powers of heart and mind and physical strength which Mr Jupp brings to the work that for many yeaffl to come he may have the joy and the honor of guiding it in being an even greater power for God among the heathen. Re.cognising that Mr Jupp will and must give much time and energy to this important work, we desire to assure him That in his pastoral work here he shall have at all times the loyal co-operation and practical assistance of his office bearers and people, and that they will continually bear him up in prayer before the throne of God.”

NotifiaaDons of Sunday temoaa u enumerated below appear in our advertising columns;—Anglican: St. Paul’s Cathedral, All Saints', St. Matthew’s, St. Peter’s. Presbyterian: First Church, Knox Church, St. Andrew’s, Port Chalmers, North-east Valley, Musselburgh, St. Stephen’s, Kaikorai. Mornlngton, Caversham, South Dunedin, Maori Hill, and St. Clair. Methodist: Trinity, Central Mission, Monaington, Cargill road, Belleknowes, St. Kilda, Woodbaugh, North-east Valley, Dundas Street, Ravens bourne, Eo»lyn, Maori Hill, and Caversham. Congregational: Moray Piaoe and King Street. Baptist: Hanover Street, Eoslyn, Caversham, N.E, Valley, South Dunedin. St. Kilda. Church of Christ: Tabernacle, South Dunedin, Mornington, Eoslyn, N.E. Valley, and Filleul street. York Place Hall, Chrisbadelphians, Playfair Street Hall. _ Salvation Army (Dunedin). Christian Science. Choral' Hall.

A memorial service in connection with the TOoeut death of the Eev. E. B. Gray will bo held at tho Hanover Street Baptist Church to-morrow evening, when addresses will be given by the (Mayor, Rev. C. Dallaston, Mr H. S. Adams, and Mr E. H. Drew. Eev. E. H. Know’ea Kempton will conduct Die service.

Reduced prices this Xmas toys, dolls, glass, china, and hardware. Todd’s, George street. -[Advt.] The train arrangements for tho Wingatui races and for Now Year’s Day are advertised.

A Christian conference will be held under the auspices' of Die Dunedin Evangelistic Mission on Sunday in the King’s Theatre, Dowling street; qp Monday and Tuesday at tho Trades Hall, Moray place.

At Trinity Methodist Church to-morrow tho Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt will preach at both services.

The nip for nippy winter weather—eon’s No. 10, flue old Hootch whisky.— CA.dvt.l 1 A musical service will be held in tho Mornington Methodist Church to-morrow evening. The soloists will bo Mrs Burgess, Miss Flora Williamson, and Mr W. Haig. Community singing from 6.45 to 7. The Eev. E. Eaine’s subjects will be:—Morning, ‘A Great Question'; evening, ‘The World's Need.’ Cur enthusiasm for “ No-rubbing ” Laundry Help never slackens, because it brightens wives and generally makes for better times; Is packet does 7 washings perfectly.—Allen and Co.—{Advt.] The Rev. Guy Thornton will speak in the St. Kilda Coronation Hall to-morrow evening on ‘Joy, Joy, Pure Joy.’ New season’s photographic goods; excellent stock now arriving. Cameras from 6s. Send your order early to H. J. Gill, 11 and 13 Frederick street, Dunedin ; ’phone 1,144. —[Advt.]

Christmas services will, be held at the ■Methodist Central Mission to-morrow, the Rev. Clarence Eaton conducting both services. Ladies recommend Martin’s Xplol and Steel Pills. Sold by all chemist* and stores. See you get tho genuine.—(.Advt.l Particulars regarding the running of the Peninsula Ferry Company for the holidays appear in to-nighi’s issue.