LONG STAGE CAREER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17701, 30 January 1918, Page 3

LONG STAGE CAREER.

NED ROSE'S SUDDEN DEATH

William Edmond Rose-Smith, better known in New Zealana as Ned Rose, died suddenly at his residence, 165, Chester Street, early yesterday morning at the ago of eighty-two. He went to bed as usual on Monday evening, though he complained about a pain in his chest. He remained reading until an early hour on Tuesday, and shortly before four o'clock his wife was awakened by his heavv breathing. He expired shortly after. At an inquest held before Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M., a verdict of death from senile decay was returned. Ned Rose was probably the oldest theatrical actively engaged in the Dominion, and his career extends from the earliest'- days of the stage in New Zealand. ' He was engaged in the theatrical profession in India in the fifties, and came to New Zealand,in 1859, landing in Auckland from Bombay. He was connected with Mr Foley's Dramatic Company until 1861, when performances were given to the troops. In those dav s the productions started at 6 p.m., and finished at 9 p.m., to allo.v the soldiers to return to barracks. Later he went with the company to Taranaki. Two days after their arrival the Maori war broke out, and all the women in the company became nurses. vShortly after the opening or the Gabriel Gully rush in 1861, Rose went to Dunedin, and was engaged in theatrical work there. The next year he went to England to visit lus\ relatives staving there some five months. Ho then returned to New Zealand, and after travelling with theatrical companies in the Dominion he settled down permanently in Christehurch about 1870 although on several occasof the country with companies. His' connection with the theatre was almost entirely devoted to the mechanical side, and right up to the time of his death he was activo as a. stage hand at the Theatre Royal While in Christehurch Pose built the old lheatre Koval, opposite the present building. Mid he constructed the stages of the old Gaiety Theatre in Cathedral Square, the Opera House and the Timaru Theatre. With George. Cook and Henry Stapleton ho formed the Stage, and Theatrical -Employees' Union, and was one of its presidents. At the time of his death bo was an honorary vicepresident of the organisation. While in Christehurch he also did a considerable amount of work m building scenery, and often helped the Musical Society'in the preparations for its concerts. * Mr Rose's son is in the circus business. Some years ago while he was performing in Christehurch with an animal act with Wirth's Circus, ho was badly mauled by a bear, but afte.r his recovery he rejoined the circus, and is with it now in Australia.