PRESENTATION TO MR AND MRS GEORGE DARRBLL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4537, 1 September 1876, Page 3

PRESENTATION TO MR AND MRS GEORGE DARRBLL.

During tho first interval at tho Queen a Theatre last evening, MrH. S. Fish, M.P.C., presented testimonials to Mr and Mrs Darrell, on behalf of their numerous admirers and friends in Dunedin. Mrs Darrell was escorted on to the stage by Mr J. B. Steele. The beautiful diamond locket handed to Mra Darrell was purchased from Messrs Kohn and Co., Priuces street, and the address to Mr Darrell was tastefully prepared. Mr Fisii, after the hearty applause which greeted the party's appearance had subsided, said : Mra George Darrell— Dear Madam, on behalf of a few friends and admirers, I have great pleasure in presenting you with thin diamond locket, as a small mark of the appreciation and respect with which they regard your talents as an actress, yourperaoual and domestic attributes as a lady. Standing as you have done for many years past, foremost in your profession, it is pleasurable to the lovers of the histrionic art to notify that in every wfiy experience has served simply to ripen your genius, and mature yourpowex-s. Mr Fifih, addressing Mr George Darrell, continued :—Sir—Wo the undersigned beg sincerely to congratulate you upon the rapid progress you have made in your profession, and the success you have achieved, both as an sctor and as a dramatic author. As an old and respected resident in Dunedin, it is gratifying to your friends in this city to note the position which your energy and talent have enabled you to attain. Asa Colonial author and actor you have foughtto the front, conquering the difficulties surrounding your position, achieving a triumph thereby necessarily satisfactory to yourself, and to the many admirers of your histrionic and literary talent. Whilst appreciating your artistic and literary efforts, we cannot refrain from adding that your reputation is enhanced by the respect accorded you in your private character. That success may continue to follow the professional labours of yourself and your talented wife, is the desire of your many -friends and well-wishera. Here follow signa tures. Mr Fish continued : —Mrs George Darrell, on behalf of a few friends and adnji*ers, I have very great pleasure indeed ifipresenting you with this diamond locket, as a small mark of the esteem in which you are held by a great number of people in Dunedin. Indeed, I may say it affords me peculiar pleasuie to bo made the medium ot making this presentation, on account of the long acquaintance that I have enjoyed with yourself for so many years past, and also because I believe I may reckon myself as one of the oldest friends of Mr Darrell in Dunedin. I knew your husband long before he had expressed any intention to " strut and fret his brief hour on the stage "in Dunedin. I have had the pleasure—much, no doubt, to the disgust of many of the people of Dunedin— of appearing with him as an amateur on more then one occasion.—(Laughter and applause.) I know that when he told me that he was going to pursue a professional career, I was one of those who predicted for him a failure. It is very gratifying to me to-night to be able to state that my predictions have not been fulfilled. He has made great progress as an actor, and achieved a fair amount of success as an author, and I am not saying too much for the people of Dunedin when I say that they are proud that one who has been brought up amongst them has obtained ■Bo much success in both those positions.— (Cheers.) That success may continue to attend your professional labours is the wish of your many friends.—(Applause.) Mr Darrell said : Mr fish, ladies and .gentlemen, on behalf of my wife, I must thank you for the very kind manner in which you made her this very valuable present, *nd I must thank those who so kindly made .yon the medium of giving it her. I can say vary little but what everybody will anticipate with regard to my wife. I feel infinitely more proud of the honour done to her than if it were for myself. lam convinced that this feeling will bo shared in by every husband. — {Laughter.) I feel very proud to think that her character, both on the stage and off, is universally. esteemed throughout the Australian Colonies, and I think it should be the desire of every actor and actress to deserve the admiration of the public both off the stage and on.—(Applause.) Therefore, when these mementoes have been presented to Mrs Darrell as a mark of appreciation of her qualities as a woman and an actress, I »m sure that she will appreciate the respect in which she is held in her profession. I need say no more on her behalf. I will leave our past career to speak for itself. I only trust that she may be spared to adorn the drama for many years, and to share my labours, and that we may always meet with as many enthusiastic and genuine admirera as we have in DuDCdin. —(Applause.) Now, ladies and gentlemen, I am no set speaker, and I don't arrange things beforehand; therefore, whatever I ■ay comes from the hoart. You must not expect anything classical from me. I ■incerely re-echo the sentiments of Mr Fish regarding our past career. Speaking for myself, I feel greater pride to ■stand successfully on this stage than I would do on any other stage throughout the Australian Colonies.—(Applause.) I know that every man likes to look back to the commencement of his career. Though I did not commence aa a professional here, I made my first appearance as an amateur in the old Princess Theatre. And although my friend Mr Fish predicted a failure for me, I .always thought I should forge along. We liave met wrth some success, and though we have not arrived at anything great, still we may live in hope. Yes, we trust to be as •successful in the Old World as we have been here.—(Applause.) As an author I am only a beginner, but so far, thanks to the kindly notices of the Press, and the public, my efforts have hitherto been a success. After -coming from England, as W9 anticipate, I think I shall be able to show you a Colonial drama worthy of a Colonial author and a Colonial actor.—(Applause.) I should like to remain here in Dunedin and oocupy the position of manager of one of the theatres, as ft grieves me exceedingly to- leave this town where we have so many friends. However, Jftju cannot be, as worthy managers have the xfceaties, bat I may live in hope.. If I eventually become a manager here I will endeavour to conduct the theatre properly, as I trust it will be for the future under the management of my esteemed friend Mr Steele.—(Applause.) I may now, while I am on the " speak," as they say in America, thank the Press, not only in Dunedin, but also throughout New Zealand, for the kind way they have always; treated me. We get a little rubbing down occasionally ; perhaps we deserve it—though some people say the Press treats me mildly becanse 1 am an old Pressman. There is a well-known axiom, that "familiarity breeds contempt," and there is a great deal of truth in the statement. However, 1 thank them throughout the Colony for the very kindly manner in which they have treated me, which has given me energy and encouragement. And now, ladius and gentlemen, 1 again thank you for the very kindly manner in which you have always received us.—(Cheers.)