THE CARNIVAL OF FUN.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3872, 29 July 1891, Page 2

THE CARNIVAL OF FUN.

L Nev Chum's Experiences.

Some further interesting facts in connection with the somewhat peculiar case in which William Charles Hazel, theatrical agent, is charged with having obtained a sum of £32 from a " new chum" named Thomas Barker by false pretences, were brought out at the resumed hearing ol the case.

As on tha former occasion, Mr Williams appeared on behalf of the prosecutor, and Mr Jellicoe for the defence.

Mr Williams said that he proposed calling a witness named Eivers in order to show that the accused had obtained money from him in a way similar to that in the present case. Thomas Charles Eivers stated that in consequence of an advertisement which he saw in the New Zealand Times on the 15th June, requiring a man to travel with a theatrical Company, he met Hazel the following day at Messrs Edwards and M'Beath's registry offic3. As a result of this meeting, Hazel agreed to engage witness, and they afterwards proceeded to the Central Hotel, where Hazel produced an agreement, remarking that he would require £25 from the witnes3 as security. After some argument accused agreed to accept, £l7, and an order for witness' first week's earnings, £3. The agreement was signed on this understanding, and witness paid 18s down, and undertook to find the balance the following day, which he did. Next day they left together for Bulls, and the company—called the " Carnival of Fun "—performed there the same night (18th). The company consisted of three regular performers, two ad ■ vance agents, and a man who performed occasionally. Witness travelled with it from Bulls to Marton, Hunterville, Palmerston, and Feilding, where he left it. There v.ere never more than three regular performers when the company played at the above named places. From Feilding, Foley and Clifford, two of the members, went on to Wanganui, and Hazel, alter going to Wellington, went with him, when he was to go on to Wellington. Witness next met Hazel at Palmerston on Sunday, the sth July, and asked him for some money to pay expenses incurred. Accused replied that he was unable to give him any, on account of the bad business done by che company during the tour. After some argument accused handed over £l, and gave witness fourteen days' notice of termina~ tion of the agreement entered into between them, remarking that he did not consider the £25 as security; but that witness had paid it as a speculation in the business. Accused gave as a reason for terminating the agreement that he could not afford to keep so many in the company. He left for Wellington the next day, after making an appointment to meet witness at the Feilding railway station on the following Wednesday. Hazel failed to keep the appointment, but telegraphed the reason why he was delayed. After waiting in Feilding until the 18th July, and making several unsuccessful applications to the accused for money, witness came to Wellington. Last week Foley and Clifford were playing at Feilding on their own account.

Cross-examined by Mr Jellicoe.the witness said he came to Wellington in consequence of a communication which he received from Mr Williams, solicitor for the prosecution, who had promised to assit him in obtaining redress from Hazel, It was his first 'experience in theatrical business When Hazel gave him the notice terminating the agreement he made no objection, being of opinion that ifwas in accordance with the terms of the document. The company was known as the Carl Hartz Carnival of Fun Company, Hartz being Hazel's stage name. It did not do a particularly good business during the tour, the average being from £2 to £5 a night except at Palmerston North. The only arrangement he hai with the accused was embodied in the agreement.