AROUND THE WORLD

Otago Witness, Issue 2623, 22 June 1904, Page 61

AROUND THE WORLD

(Fhoji Otago Witness Specials.)

Broken Hill, June 1

Dear Pasquin,— Af f er an absence of seven years, we are back again in Broken Hill, and have had a very warm welcome, as our houses have been packed every night. We have extended our season for a week longer than intended, owing to the numerous requests to play some of the old favourkes. We finished up our Adelaide season with "The Geisha" to a big house.

We left Adelaide on Monday afternoon, and after an exceedingly cold and monotonous trip, arrived at Broken Hill at half-past 8 on Tuesday morning.

Broken Hill, or at least the surrounding country, puts one in mind of South Africa. The town itself presents a very busy appearance. We are going over one of the big mines next week • will tell j;ou about it in my next.

We opened oiu Broken Hill season with "Gay Parisiemie," to a packed house. Later on we played "Djin Djin," which also drew big houses. Miss Everill Heggie played the part of the principal boy, Prince Euca'vptus (in place of Miss Nellie Wilson, who has left to join J. C. Williamson for a season), while Arthur Crane played the name part (Djin Djin) m place of Ja-ck Ralston, who has also left to join J. C. Williamson. Both artists scored a success in their respective parts. On Monday and Tuesday we put on " The Casino Girl" ; Wednesday and Thursday, "Belle of New York" ; "Friday and Saturday, "Messenger Boy." Next week we put on "Geisha," "French Maid," and "Florcdora" for the last two nights of the season. The booking for all the pieces is very big, and it is a case of coming early if you want a seat.

Will write you again before we leave here, telling you our futuie movements. The weather here is bitterly cold— our first taste of winter for some time, as we have had the luck to miss the winters in the different places in South Afiica.

Vera Buttel, a sister to Connie Buttel (Mrs L. Schatz), is now a member of our co., having joined us in Adelaide. She is the possessor of a fine voice, like her sisters.

Must tell of the engagement of Miss Marie Metcalfe to a Mr W. Cooke, an English gentleman connected with mining in Kalgoorlie. Miss Nellie Rede is now the only girl left vha has been connected with the co. since its formation, nearly 14 years ago, and the boys are Messrs Percy, Quealy, A. Stephens, and G. Young.

We were all sovry to hear of the death of Mr Will Haydon, as he was well known to all the members of the co. for many little acts of kindness.

Miss Nellie Foode leaves shortly for South Africa to rejoin her husband in Johannesburg.

Have had news from. Africa from Annie Curtice (Mrs Richardson) and Zoe Karkeek (Mrs Grimaldi), to the effect that they are both happy in their married life.

Also had news from London from Wilmott Karkeek to say that Dave O'Connor and his wife (Edie Zeigler) and herself were all in the one co., which has just left London for an extended tour of South America, and that they are doing well.

Must close now, with best wishes, to all friends and yourself from the co. and — Yours sincerely,

DICK SHORTLAKD