PUBLISHED DAILY. DAMPIER DRAMATIC COMPANY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 9538, 3 November 1892, Page 2

PUBLISHED DAILY. DAMPIER DRAMATIC COMPANY.

"A ROYAL PARDON. 1111 11. 1

The Dampier Dramatis Comp ny scored a groat success on Wednesday night, when they produced tho splendid dr ma, " A Royal Pardon," before one of the most appr()C : ati»o audiences that ever assembled in the Alexandra Hall. From the rise of tho curtain in tho first to its fall in the fourth act the talented Company carried their auditors wi h them, and m> demonstrative was the applauso at the closo of the third act that the principals had to bow their acknowledgments before tho curtain. Tlu> plot of the p : eco is built upon the wrongful conviction of a man on tho capital charge of murder, which was actually committed by tho person who was tho principal witness at (ho trial. Paul Markham, a Cornish seafaring man, who also owns an inn, is convicted of tho murder of ono Captain Scafiold, who lodged one night at his houso. The real murderer, however, h Joseph Millbank (a lawyer's clerk), who committed the deed for the purposes of gain Tho chain o£ circumstantial bvidonco is ho stiong against Markham, tho testimony of Millbank being especially damaging, that ho is tiansported for lifo, and is supposed to be drowned in the wrock of tho convict Bhip. Millbauk, on tho preloaco oE being a friend in tho hour of trou-le, induoos tho widow to marry him, and not only becomes a parti ipator in tho fortune which comes as a legacy to hor la'.e husband, but «lso becomes tho guardian of hor daughter. On this plot a decidedly clover story is worked out, but in t o cnl all comes right. Tho ciiineis sheeted home to Millbank ; Lhe innocent man, who csc.ipod drowning, receives "A Royal P.ir.lon;"' the villa ; n is killed; and tho curtain falls on a scene of "villainy vanquished and virtue triumphant. 1 '

Tho drama affordod scooo for Mr Alfred Dampier to show his ability ai a finished actor in tho tiiplo characteis of Job Tut'er nig (an inebriate schoolmaster), Filzioy Grosvenor (a crushed tragedian), and Vii tor Monchard (a Frenchman). Tatternig is a man who plays many parts, chief of which is the amateur detective, through whoso ageucy tho crime is traced to Millbank. In tho cha-acter of the inebriate Bchoolmaater Mr Ddtnpier was simply inimitable, his impersonation being a really clover pieco of comedy As to crushed tragedian full of quotations from tho groat poets, Shakespeare especially, Mr Dampior not only played the would-bo actor to perfection, but he gave the audienco some ideas by hiß quotation aa to what might be expected

from him . wore he to appear in one of the plays written by tho immortal bard. His impersonation of tho Frenchman also displayed his histrionic ability. Tho wrongfully convicted Paul Markham found an able exponent in Mr E. Holloway, who depicted the character with a fidelity that tho audience wore not slow to recognise. The principal villain Millbank, was taken by .Mr G. Rosier, who played tho part with such spirit that ho soon made the character a detestable one to the uudience. Mr V. Byrne played Ihe small part of Captain Soafield, the man who was murdered, in a satisfactory manner. Mr A. Harford waa seen and heard to advantage as Harry Seafield, the son, who foil in love with and ultimately married Paul Markham's daughter. In the character of Septimus Swindledon, tho son of a tyranising, monoy •lending, lawyer, Mr A. Rolfe scored a success. Jonas (irimwood, a faithful aorvant to the principal villain, was cleverly impersoLatod by Mr G. Buller. The femalo characters were all well taken. Miss Julia Morton played the charactei of Helen Markham, who was induced through deceit to marry her husband's betrayor, with great ability. As Amy, tho daughter of Paul Markhmn, Miss Rose Dampier was very successful. In the third act this young lady scored an enore for her cultured rendering of the song, "Wailing" (Milard). The part of Peggy, the domestic, who finally bestows hor hand on Job Tatterag, was capably filled by Miss Kathorine Russell. Tho sub-idiary parts wore all capably filled. The scenery and dressing woro excellent. The garden scene on the banks of the Thames in tho second act was tho best, and its baauty was fully recognised by the audience.

Mr G. Garry and Ma-stor R. Cottier played tho incidental music.

THE THIRD PERFORMANCE will be given to-night (Thursday), wi en the powerful and sensational drama, " The Black Flag; or, Escaped from Portland,' will be produced. This drama, which is by tho same author as " A Royal Pardon," abounds in stirring incidents and powerful situations.

DISTRICT COUET— In Bankruptcy Wednesday, November 2. — Before His

Honor Mr D.strict Judge Kettlo APPLICATIONS FOR DISCHARGE.

Mr Govett applied for an ordor of discharge on behalf of Leonard Ashwin, builder, of Stratford.

Tho bankrupt gave evidence as to tho circumstances leading up to bis bankruptcy.

By Mr Kerr: Bankrupt said ho entered into partnership with Greenroyd about August latt. They went f ully into Cole's contract they took, and expected to make wages out of it. They lost time over the contract through wet W( ather There was between £40 and £50 actual loss. Ho could not detail the lose, as his partner took tho books awayr He never attempted to get tho books, nor could bo produce bill for tho timber. [Mr Govett said he could not see the force of the questioning Mr Kerr said that he intended to show that bankrupt had been guilty of reckless extravagance and gross negligence. His Honor : Prior to the bankruptcy, of course. Mr Kerr replied that ho intended to show that."] Three days after Greenroyd left he learned that Greenroyd had received full payment in respect of Cole's contract. It was three weeks after tho completion of tho contract. Ho took no steps to get tho money, as he left such matters to Greenroyd. Ti'oy did not havo a squaring up peiiodically, such us when progress payments were made. When they got money they took £1 a week, and paid the rest away. They had a contract from Mrs Muir, and he, recei»*d £20 of tho money. Mrs Muir would not recognise Greenroyd in tho matter, but paid it to him. They also had a contract from Mr Perm. Ho did somo work for Mr Curtis after the bankruptcy. Greenroyd received £68, and gave him no account of it. Sinoo tho bankruptcy he had paid £15 for wages out of about £35 ho had c mod The reason ho did not givo informat'on to the police that bi9 partner bad cleared was because he thought Greenroyd won d como back, as Greenroyd had previously been ab3ent for two or three days at a timo. He believed he made a statement to tho Assignee that Greenroyd had also £50 moro in his possession, but ho had learned since thon that Grtenroyd had paid a good dea 1 of it away. He was not in the habit of playing billiards frequently. He considered liiinsolE a judge of a good cigar. Ho travelled first class to file, as he had been in the habit of travelling first-class. Ho paid 18a a week for his board and lodgings, which left him 2s as balance of tho £1 ho drew per week from the contractf.

By His Honor: S'nco tho bankruptcy ho had earned enough to pay £15 in preferential claims Ho owed at present about £5 for board. Ho had no capittl when ho started.

By Mr Govett: TLc timber merchants he got the timber from knew they had no capital. Mr Brooking, a mill agent, paid a £5 deposit on one of tho contracts they they took.

By His Honor: He had no family do pending upon him. He was a single man. Mr Kerr went over the rircumstances of the case, and submitted tint (he bankrupt should not got his discharge till he had paid 10s in the £.

James Greenroyd was called to give evidence as to whether ho had any property, Ho said he had no property, hut ne was wil ing to pay I is share of tho debts of the iinn. When Asliwin signer the warrant for his arrest, he did so knowing that lio (Greenroyd) had only taken £33, and not £GB. Ho gave Ashwin £5 on tlio Saturday ho drew tho money, and Calhglnn £5. Next day Callaghan carried his swag t) Normanby, and ho g.ivo him £15 more. Ho aluo paid £3 on an order which Ashwin had given Stroud lt waa understood that ho was to go to Western Australia, and they thought ho was there, otherwise they would not havo signed tho wavr.int.

II is llonor said he was not wholly satisfied with the conduct of the bankrupt, and he considered that it was a case in which a conditional order should be made He ordered that bankrupt should piy 7s Gd in the £ on all proved claims, before ho could get his discharge In answor to Mr Govott, His Honor said that he could give no advice as to Grconroyd paying half of tho 7s Gd.

\valti:h kisby s application.

Tho application of Walter Kisby for an order of discharge was granted. Mr Roy appeared for tho bankrupt.

DAVID JONUS' APPLICATION.

Mr Roy, on behalf of David Jones, upplied for an older of discnargo. Mr Roy said thut His Honor had refused the application on a previous occasion, stating that until bankrup" had made some urrangouiuntwitli hia creditors ho could uot get his discharge. Mr Roy saiJ that he had tiled n allidavit, which set out that bankrupt ha I 26 proved crcditois represo iting £418 9d and of «his munbei 19 creditor!?, representing £829 163 3d, had assented to tho bankrupt getting an immediate discharge. Tho only creditor who opposed tho discharge was Mr Hughes, who had written a letter to tho Assignee. His llonor, af'.er questioning t 1 c bankrupt, made an order that t.io discharge should take elVect on January Ist noxt. Tho Court adjourned.