AN UNREHEARSED SCENE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 873, 26 August 1879, Page 2

AN UNREHEARSED SCENE.

A Policeman And a Theatrical -.y';-' :_MANA<JER.

A- '/question of privilege" was the occasion of a slight scene m the lobby of the Odd Fellows' Hall on last Saturday night, at Wanganui. It is the custom of the police m this town,-i\ appears, to claim admission to all amuse-^t jnents, whether they be m uniform or iff 'plain dress, and usually tlieir"claim has; not been denied. Mr. /Montagu Browne, the manager of the Chaplin- ■'• Osborne Company, however, holds hia own views on the question of this "privilege," and has, it appears, refused'to admit any, one designating himself a member of the police force • unless he be. m uniform. . On Saturday night, a man purporting to be a member of the police force, claimed admission as usual, but as ho was only m plain clothes, Mr.;Browne refused to recognise Mb claim to a free admission whereupon the following colloquy ensued :— ''"■'■..' Policeman— Then you refuse me admission? Manager— Certainly, unless you come m uniform. - •- - Policeman (returning) r- Who" is the Manager of this Company 1 Mr. Browne — I am ; and am responsible for all that is said and done by, it. „ ...... Policeman—iOh ! I say, don't you think it hard to refuse the police free admission? Manager— lf you tell me why any man calling himself a policemen should claim admission free, I.wJUI. tell you whether it is hard or not. ' Policemen — Well, I may come on duty. Manager — If a policemen tells me he comes on duty, I am willing to admit, him ; but if he comes on duty, it is not necessary for him to sit himself down to see a play out. A detective is always welcome, because he is always on duty. Policemen— Well, I'think we have a right to come m when we like. Manager— Well, I don't ; and I refuse to admit you. -, , . Policemen (threateningly)— Well I shall come to-morrow, and I shall Jgo m whether you like it or not ! .. Manager-— Well, you try it on. How dare you threaten me what you will do. What is your name ? ' /•' , ' ; Policeman — That's my concern. : Manager— l demand your name. If you are a policeman, you are bound to give me your name. I shall report you to your superior officer. Policeman — I shall not give you my name, and you can go and report me now to my offioer. Manager— You make a great mistake tf you come here to bounce me ; and I dare you to attempt to pass m if you have no ticket. . , We do not know what claim the police more than any other Government officers have to a free admission to a theatre. Managers and door-keepers are not supposed to know every member of the force who pleases to say he ia so. It is a peouliar thing that while they claim free admission to amusements and always appear to be most active m their duties when a good play ia oti, they never trouble a church or a public meeting.