AROUND THE WORLD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2525, 6 August 1902, Page 57

AROUND THE WORLD.

Melbourne, July 29, 1902. Dear Pa.squin, — I tan leaving per Wilcannit on Saturday next for South Africa. Mr Wil« liara3on is desirous that I should get, -+. thorough grip t>l ih« country in case he 'deM eir«3 to eend »ny of hia companies th«re. At pressnt it is ■an unknown land, so tax as w^" are concerned, and as one hears con-tKtdicter| report« as to its present state and its possw bilities, it is best to make personal inspco tio3. I think I musb be regarded as the Got vernor'a explorer, for I was the £rat to g4 on iis behalf to Perth iand flje Goldfields t<} "spy out the land." Giicumstanccs may bi such that I will remain in S.AI for a long time as I have personal interests there, so I -vvouw take it as * great favour if you would co-vex to all yoar fellow pressmen — a-3 I would ask you to accept them yourself — my deep obligation and thanks for the many kindnesses invaria"b'y extended to me. Without ftffectation, let me say that I Idvb Kew Zealand, and T love ita free sad generous people. It has aiways been a pleasure to me to take J. C "W.s companies there, and though at casual times a critic hasn't quite manifested tho enthusiasm oved a performance that I quite aaturally harp dosfc v what does that matter when you know^it's ail " been done without any personal anjbngonisnw Thank goodness! I don't think I've got. art '. enemy in your country, but I've got hur.d£edjt and .hundreds of the dearest friends in* the world. And I hope to meet all again, some. ' day. ."With the .best of wishes, — Yours sini^ cerely, HAROLD ASHTOU-A " Brisbane, Queensland, July 25,, 1302. Dear Pnsquin, — Ju'rt a feV.'lines jbc&re ou* < departure from Australasia for the "Far East.-'. ' Wo sail to-day on the North Gerin&n JLlcyJl • s.s. Tatiglm, and, given favourable wea-tKcr", we are due at Batavin, Java, on -or about August 20. We axe taking a coinpauy num-t f l>ering 10, -as follows : Three Valdrres, Mr Freil Koley (Zjwnoni), Miss" May Fielder, lfa-3 wid Mica Carle, Miss Josie -iteindrick, Mr H. J. Hush, and ISx J«mes Morgan. After closing our New Zealand tour at AncleItnd in June, the three Vaidares, und Mt Fre<3 f'oley (Zamom) visited Fiji. W* had a very successful tour of the islands; played eight nights at Suva, five at Lautokn, atfcl tliree at Ba. Had we had tho time we could hava spent six weeks in Fiji, instead of three. But w* were booked to leave on July 14, via s.a>. Aoraagi, so as to catch the Tanglm for the East. Fiji is a very good country for a small but clevter company, and should ba visited only -during 'the months ol June, Jnly^ or August, other times being too hot. The theatrical business is very quirt here in Briß^ ban*. Williamson's Musical 'Coihedy Com- » paay are doing fair at His Majesty's, enfl Riokards has closed tho Boyal. Fitsgeraia Bros.' Circus is up noxth, and reported to be doing good business. Fred Holland; Sstmc Gale, -and a few others are .running awas j«-orks and variety -company out iTco* woombu way. I have given* you all th© news I know of at .present. Will keep you posted of our movements and anything I know of in» the future iieatvically. Good-bye, and ' besl . wishes from 113 all. — I'oura 3incere!y 5 JAS. VALJDAEE. Care of 'Thcs. Cook and Sons, Singapore, Strait 3 Settlements.