ABOUND THE WORLD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2375, 7 September 1899, Page 47

ABOUND THE WORLD.

(Fkom Otago Witness Specials.) Jackson, Miss., U.S.A., July 6. Dear Bis, — Very little news since last writing you. Small progress has been made with the,' new opera house (concerning which I wrote you recently), the people here being so slow that they fall over themselves. In fact they would " take the cake " at Moaland's sleepy hollow — Nelson. I am just about to leave here for a few weeks, and am going north to lowa, which belongs to the prairie belt between the world's longest river, the Mississippi, and the Missouri ; Nebraska, another prairie State, separated by the Missouri River on the east from lowa, and Minnesota, which touches Canada on the north, lowa on the south, Dakota on the west, and Wisconsin on" the east, and which from its number of lakes is known all through as " Lake State." I expect to return to Jackson early in August. By last mail I sent you two parcels of 'grams, 'Frisco and New York. I havo a parcel of Chicago ones in a trunk at depot, and as soon as I unpack will forward. I regret being unable to forward you much theatrical news at present, as the southern States are entirely out of companies' circuits. Ilave ju&t received an excellent offer from Larsen's Concert Company for an eight months' tour of the northern circuits. Unfortunately, circumstances and prior engagements prevent my accepting same. Miss Eileen O'Moore's fixtures are not definite for the reason that the Paris Exhibition of 1900 has a great deal to do with the intended American tour. By that I mean that the inducements offered by the promoters of the Ex. are so good that all the best people are accepting engagements for that great attraction. I may go north by the very long route instead of direct, for the novelty of going through tho Mexico, Federal Eepublic of Texas (the largest State in the Union, larger than Franco or Germany), and South California. The return trip fares at the present are less than ordinary single, with privilege of returning by any route. So I think I shall go by the Great Southern route, returning by the Great Western. I never see the s.s. Moana but I feel like getting on board and coming back to " God's Own Country." I have some good offers of attractions at times and often feel like purchasing, but am rather at a loss to know what would take on " down under " at the particular moment. But do not be surprised to see me come along at any moment. Just now the Jeffries-Fitzsimmons films have been more than a fortune to the first buyers in the northern States. The people here require to see this wonderful machine, which has been the talk of the world, and yet here — right at the home of the invention — they know less about it " than a cow does about handling a> cannon." (Excuse the comparison.) Bob (Tiznaru) Fitzsimmons is more than a pugilistically conquered man. His defeat has broken his heart. I suppose great excitement over the fight prevailed in the colonies. The day before yesterday was the Glorious Fourth of July. The following, which is strictly fact, will give you a slight idea of the feeling the Southerners have toward the North ■ owing to the war of '60. The day was bright and hot. I left the suburbs expecting to see a grand display of bunting, fireworks, etc. To my great surprise, on reaching the city, all the stores were open and not a flag as big as a pocket-handkerchief was to be seen in the whole of the city of Jackson. The only flag that I saw that day was one at the house I live in! Let not the Americans dream they have a free country. The bribery and corruption carried on here is far and away beyond the conceptions of an ordinary individual. No eight hours a day here — 24 hours a day more like the requiremnts, and Idol the daily wage! Grand, glorious couhtry, free and independent! Bah! They can sing " Yankee Doodle " and the " Star Spangled Banner" as long as they like, for my opinion is that is the only thing they are free to do. If you do anything else you are taxed a dollar a brick for the privilege. So much for freedom and " Yankee doodle " ! Say Bis, can't we give them a few points on that? Well, I should smile! John L. Sullivan, the once-famous world's champion pugilist, created a little excitement in Los Angeles a night or two back. I happened

to be staying at the Hollenbock Hotel when Johnnel arrived, accompanied by his tuirst. Strict orders were given by the manager of the aggregation" of which John L. and Jake Kilrain and stars that no drink should be served to the ex-champion. This displeased John. He sent si bellboy to the bar with instructions tc get a bottle of whisky. The boy returned and announced laconically : '" Can't do nothing for you, John." "ITVell, that's lightning," said Sullivan, "but I don't blame you, kid," he added. Contrary to expectations the big Bostonian accepted his fate meekly and went "to bed without his " bot." Regards to self, " Par quin," and all Moaland friends.— Yours truly, GEORGE V. BECK. • Permanent registered address:— G.P.O., iiriwaukee, U.S.A. Phoenix Hotel, Port Elizabeth. _. „. "' Cape "Colony, July 17. JJear Bis,— Just a- few lines to catch this mail. We have just finished a big week at Kimberley. where all the members, includin" Yours truly," enjoyed a short spell at Mr Payne s expense. We wanted it (not the expense, but the spell). We open here July 25 loung Harry Payne has not been so well lately but with our recent week's spell is picking up The country is still in a troubled state, and the rumours of war are making everything very unsatisfactory for everybody. Just shove along the. following from the Port Elizabeth Advertiser, 26/7/W : — " The gifted company of handbell ringers and musicians pleasantly remembered here, as elsewhere in South Africa, as the Payne Family, opened with their bright and pleasant entertainment to a delrghted house last night. There should be littte doubt as to the success of the visit front the Paynes' own point of view after the smartness of the first night's performance, and the warmth of the reception. The tour has been. Highly successful all the way round, and Porfe Elisabeth is going to be no exception to. the) rule. It is a marvellous entertainment for the .money. Since the last visit the personnel of the company has been considerably strengthened, and the programme is well up to date. What strikes me is the marvellous versatility of the artistes, most of whom seem equally at home with handbells, banjo, violin, mandolin or other instruments. . . . Miss Beatrice Loraina Tansley captivates the audience with her melodious contralto, and it must be a rare occurrence for this lady to escape an encore for her singing. .... It would be hard to say whether Miss Belle Payne is cleverest in her songs or her instrumental contributions There is not space to mention every item, but the whole is a bright and entertaining evening without a taint of vulgarity, and those who would drive dull care away should not miss it." Frank de Jong has "the Rousley English 1 Opera Company in his charge, and left yesterday for Durban. They are due at Porfc Elizabeth for a return season on September 14. Charles Arnold's English Comedy Companyarrived this week, and are already " hitting 'em up" at the Standard Theatre, Johannesburg with " What Happened to Jones." As a rattling and never tedious sample of American humour Broadhursfc's three-act farce obtained something like a frantic reception on its opening night. If laughter — hearty, uncontrollable, even uproarious, be any criterion, of tho success of a farce, then the performance of " What Happened to Jones," by Charles Arnold and his clever company, touches tha very pinnacle. The exquisite frocks worn by. the lady members of the company were a. revelation to Johannesburg, which bus sei>n no: such smart dresses on the stage for years. Give my regards to Mr R. N. Abbey, also to Miss Annie May Abbott, P. Eompier, Esq., and all inquiring friends. — Yours truly, JOHN JAY HODGE (" One of the Jays "). Saigon, Cocbin China, 20/7/09. Dear Bis, — A few lines to let you know we are still alive and kicking. So far we havo escaped the fearful plague. From this you will see we are in the land of the Chows and the Parley-vous. Business is middling, and the ghost has walked weekly (not weakly) so far. We go to Java next month, and hope to greach Calcutta for Christmas. Have been all through China from top to bottom, and have seen same good sights and excitements. We were in Manila at the time of the trouble with the insurgents, and had a pretty hot time. As the bullets flew all round the tent you can imagine the excitement of us Moaland savages. I can tell you we were glad to got out. Our next picnic was to strike the plague in Hongkong, but it was mostly amongst the hea.thenish natives, so did not amount to much. Warren and Bristol have no cause to regret bringing their show on the present trip. They have done very good business out here so far. The country is all right, only for the intense heat. We have it 120deg in the shade pretty; often, but we dress for tho climate, and don't feel it very much. I suppose Wellington is growing (out Karoriwards, eh?), but is stiil in. the same place. The Alton Trio finish with Warren and Bristol's show in' December, and expect to go back to Australia (under an engagement now negotiating). All the people here talk French, and it is funny to see us pantomiming when we require anything. Regards to all friends. — Yours truly, FEED ALTON (Alton Trio, Warren and Bristol's Circus)'. Metropole, Sydney, September 1. Dear Bis, — Safely arrived. M'Adoo's coons are hitting 'em up. I hope Curtis' s are doing likewise. Edwin Geach finishes with the Jordans in three week, and takes over the management of Dante for a farewell tour of Australia at Christmas, then goe3 East. Jimmy O'Neil is playing with Holloway, Sydney Her Majesty's. L. J. Lohr is already preparing for Charles Arnold. — Yours, etc., GEO. CALLENDER CRADOCK. Cape Colony, August 1. Dear Bis, — Ada Delroy has now fully reedvered from her recent illness. The Payne Family play return dates all through the Cape, then proceed to the East. — Yours truly, JOHN JAY HODGE. i ■-■ -