THE STAGE

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIII, Issue 790, 27 April 1905, Page 18

THE STAGE

(By

“Comus.”)

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE.

THE WILLIAMSON REPERTOIRE OPERA COMPANY.

On Thursday last and three following nights (excluding Good Friday) “ The Mikado” was produced by the Williamson Co. with all the original magnificence of orchestra, cast and mounting, and the theatre was crowded each evening with playgoers, more curious perhaps than enthusiastic. Some wanted to renew their acquaintance with an old-time favourite, and others to acquire, at first hand, a knowledge of that which their fathers and mothers used to rave about. It is, of course, useless to pretend that the bloom is not oft those pieces in the Gilbert and Sullivan group which were meant to be either burlesque or satire. Nevertheless, there are beauties enough inherent in these trifles to justify their revival, and Mr Williamson has certainly done all that was possible to make the past live again. It may be doubted whether the measure of success achieved would have been attained without the aid of Mr Howard Vernon. Splendidly supported as he is, it is, nevertheless, mainly upon him that the task lies to make “Patience” and “The Mikado” something more than echoes. His Ko Ko, like his Bunthorne, has improved with age, and is perfectly admirable all through. Miss Castles’ Yum Yum and the Nanki Poo of Mr Charles Kenningham are thoroughly artistic conceptions, both in singing ana acting. Their vocal contributions, indeed, stand out and claim generous recognition, Jhese alone would almost justify the revival. Miss Gilhoni, too, is strikingly successful as Katisha, and, indeed, the whole cast is good. The chorus and orchestral work could not well be bettered, and it goes without saying that the stage arrangements were as near perfection as possible. Last night the company appeared in “The Pirates of Penzance,” in which the librettist approaches more nearly to the ideal of true comic opera. On Good Friday the members of Mr Williamson’s Company gave a sacred concert, every number in which reached a remarkably high level of merit. Jhe salient items were: “In Native Worth,” by Mr Kenningham; “Jerusalem” (Guonod), Miss Dolly Castles; and “Ave Maria” (Mascheroni), Miss Aggie Thorn, but all the principals’ efforts met with hearty and enthusiastic recognition. In the cases of Miss Thorn, Miss Ghiloni (“The Better Land”), Mr Walter Whyte (“Star of Bethlehem”), and Mr Howard Vernon

(“The Holy City”) the audience insisted upon a repetition, while Mr Ralston was obliged to comply with a similar demand for his version of Mr A. Hill’s “Tangi,” the composer a,so being compelled to come forward and bow his acknowledgements. The chorus work was splendidly done, and included the, famous sextette from “Patience,” Sullivan’s “Funeral March,” “Comrades in Arms,” and the prayer from “Mose in Egitto.” The full orchestra rendered “Le Sentinel du Sepulchre” (Sullivan), the War March of the Priests, from “Athalie” (Mendelssohn), and the March from “Le Prophete” (Meyerbeer). Altogether the concert was one of the most distinguished given in Auckland for a long time.

OPERA HOUSE.

THE ANDERSON DRAMATIC CO. A good, full-blooded, romantic melodrama of the most fetching - type is A Sailor’s Sweetheart,’" with which Mr Anderson opened his season at the Opera House on Saturday night to a crammed auditorium. The play, without being original, has some special merits. The interest never flag's from the beginning to the end, and the means taken to attain this are reasonably legitimate. Even the arm of coincidence is not stretched to undue length. Virtue and its antithesis are painted in broad primary colours, so that there is no mistaking them: indeed, t hey never mistake each other. The vil-

lain, one Pemberton (played with conspicuous ability by Mr Godfrey Cass) has been cut off without a shilling by his uncle, in favour of a certain Lieutenant Clive, R.N. (Mr Geo. Cross), who has also supplanted him in the affections of Grace Mayland (Miss Ada Guildford), and the play shows how the wicked person tried his best to “get even” with the eminently brave and respectable young couple, and failed. He is assisted by an unscrupulous 'lawyer, impersonated cleverly by an old favourite, Mr Wilton Power, and several others, and opposed in a way that is most effective, by a humorous handy man of the name of Tim Kelly (Mr J. P. O’Neill). The acting of the principals leaves little to. be desired. Both Miss Guildford and Mr Cross have parts singularly well suited to their talents, and both shine in numberless striking situations. Miss Georgie Leighford and Mr Edmond Duggan create a great deal of merriment in the elucidation of the under plot, and the whole of the cast is capable. Not thq least merit of the play is its elaborate mounting. It may be said to be a triumph of the stage carpenter’s art, and Mr Rege Robins is to be complimented on the result. All the scenes are admirable, especially that representing a West African jungle, while the tableux call for unstinted praise. On Saturday Mr Anderson will produce “Through the Divorce Court,” a play that has been enthusiastically received everywhere.

STEELE-PAYNE BELLRINGERS

This eminently popular company, who have been appearing to remarkably full houses throughout the colony, gave a special sacred concert in the Opera House on Good Friday. The programme had been selected with great care, and every member of the company, including the Misses Lizzie and Maud Payne, Miss Lena Fisher, Messrs Steele and Elston, and Master Claude Steele, came in for a large amount of applause. The new silver-ton-ed handbells, just imported from England, were played on for the first time, and gave general satisfaction. The concert, which was numerously attended, was in all respects a success.

The cable announces the death of the veteran American actor, Joseph Jefferson, the original Rip Van Winkle. Mr Jefferson, who had attained his 76th year/ only recently made his “farewell” appearance in conjunction with his two sons. Many years ago he visited Australia and New Zealand, appearing in a number of plays, including, of course, “Rip,’ but though pressed to return, he always refused. He could not bear coming back and failing to find the fast friends he had

The Shaftesbury, which has stood empty for some time, was opened again on April 10 by Miss Tita Brand, who was at latest dates rehearsing “Othello.” The cast includes herself as Desdemona, and Mr Hubert Carter as Othello. Miss Brand made a very favourable impression in “Everyman.”

.Mr Reuben Fax, whose Svengali in “Trilby” js well-remembered here, is playing a Scotch character, Posty, in the “Bonnie Brier Bush,” on tour in England.

Mr Edmund Gwenn, lately with Mr Cuyler Hastings in Australia, was playing with Mr Willie Edouin in a new farce by Mr L. Sterner, “Off the Ranks,” at the Vaudeville.

The Rev. Philip Forbes, the vicar of Gorleston, author of the drama for Mrs Brown Potter, which was so much talked abopt, has written another play, “Loi< Danby’s Love Affair,” for Miss Constance Collier.

Lady Haldon is now appearing at the 1 ivoli Music Hall, in London, in “A Sporting Duchess.” This peeress has had a romantic career. She was Pauline Miska, a beautiful Viennese girl, on the boards at Drury Lane, when the Hon. Captain Palk, son of the first Lord Haldon, married her. For a considerable number, of years the Hon. Captain and Mrs Palk resided in Sydney. They went to London when Captain Palk came into the title of Lord Haldon.

The Lyceum Theatre, Sydney, has been purchased through Mr Ebenezer Vickery, M.L.C. The price paid was £24,000. The exact use to which the building will be put has not yet been decided, but it will not be devoted to theatrical entertainments.

Miss Nance O'Neil opens her Australian season in Melbourne in June 17 next. Her stay will only be a short one, but she is bringing several new plays for it, including Fires of St. John” and “Judith,” while opportunity will be made for the revival of some of her old repertoire pieces, such as “Magda”and “Elizabeth.” Mr McKee Pankin accompanies her, and for her (leading man Mr Charles Dalton has been engaged. Curiously enough, Mr J. C. Williamson some five or six years ago tri ecl to secure the same actor for Australia. He has earned a considerable popularity in the States, making his greatest hit in Marcus Superbus, of which character he was theoriginal exponent in America.

Letter received by an Australian manager:—“Deer sur, —If you have a vacincy for a akter i am hiking out fur a job. i am a good resiter and i am in grate rekwest fur smoker conscerts in this distrikt. i have a number of specialities, and i would like you to hear them. in one of them i sing a song about Big Jullia, while I am standing upside down on my head, i can also turn a very neet summersault. Pleese to rite to me at the post orfis.—Obeediently yours, W.W.”

Mr Joseph Wilson, formerly of Thornton’s Co., when in Australia, and recently manager of the Avenue Theatre, London, has been appointed manager of the Tivoli Hall, in the great city.

Theatre Manager: “Mr Starr, you positively must quit letting your mind dwell so much on your bicycle.” The Great Tragedian: “Eh! Why?”

Theatre Manager: “Perhaps you are not aware of it, but in the third act, where you should have cried, ‘Ye gods, I am stabbed,’ you shouted, ‘I am punctured!’ ”

The mounting of “La Fille du Tambour Major” at the Melbourne Royal (says “Punch”) is very good. Reg. Robins has painted some line sets, his work being artistic and solid-looking. The costumes, by Lincoln, Stuart Propty., Ltd., are very effective, and show us what good work can be done locally, and that London, once thought a necessity for the production. of a theatrical wardrobe, is no longer indispensable. The clothes are well cut. the materials rich looking and quaint in design, and the colouring very pretty and satisfactory as a scheme.

In noticing the performance of “La Fille du Tambour Major” the Melbourne “S. and D. News” says : —“ One of the beat performances was that of Mr Geo. Majeroni as the almost deaf and blind Due de Della Volta. He thoroughly understands the character, and was most natural in his amusing mistakes when recognising people. For so young a perform ?r to successfully impersonate an ell derly man without making one mistake speaks highly for his abilities.”

Mr Fred Duval has secured the Academy of Music, Launceston (Tas.), for the Christmas season, when a new American attraction will be staged.

It has been said by one of our leading critics (says London “M.A.P.”) that there is an education for stage students in watching the various expressions of the hands and fa.e of de Ares ; and this recalls an incident wh'ch Mr Richard Mansfield, the American tragedian, if ever he writes his romniscer.ces, will, no doubt, put among the humorous happenings of his career. In t! e sensational play, “Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde,” Mr Mansfield depended large l } 7 iji.ni the expression of hands and face in the pro-

per “working” of the second charact r of the title, and his “business” as the hideous Hyde, the strangler, found much favour behind the scenes in melodramaland as an “example” in the art of this particular sort of acting. Said Mr Mansfield’s stage manager to a new young actor who had recently joined the company, as the two stood in the wings one night during the performance of the Robert Louis Stevenson “shocker,” “I have been told by the guv’nor that after this act you are on no account to forget to watch his hands and face.” “Anything to please him,” answered the young man somewhat strangely ; and when the curtain fell he was seen to rush awav to Mr Mansfield’s dress 5 ngroom, and close the door behind him.

“Are u ready now, sir ?” he asked the : r, pouring out some water into aba on the dressing-table. “Ready for uat ?” answered Mr Mansfield. “The C age manager said that after the act I vas on no account to ferget to wash our hands and face,” said the new young man !

Ac ding to an exchange, General Lew al lace, the author of “Een Hur,” who Jed recently, wrote another work, entitled “The Prince of India,” and this story is being dramatised for production at one of Messrs Klaw and Erlanger’s American theatres early next season. It is related that when General Garfield was President of the United States, he offered General Wallace the post of Minister to Turkey if

he would write a story with scenes laid in the Holy Land, which General Wallace had never visited. The offer was accepted, and “Ben Hur” was written. “The Prince of India” has for its principal theme the love of the Greek Princess Irene for the young heir to the Moslem throne. The Wandering Jew will be one of the characters in the play.

MR. GEORGE MUSGROVE

“Prompter,” of the “Canterbury Times,” has been interviewing Mr George Musgrove, and produces the following :— Mr George Musgrove, proprietor of the dramatic company at present in

Christchurch, was born in London fortyeight years ago. He came to Australia, when twelve years old, and by family connections dropped naturally into the commercial end of the theatrical business, and in that business he has remained ever since. Theatrical progress in Australasia has been indissolubly connected with Mr Musgrove, who can fairly claim to have led the public taste where others follow. Backwards and forwards to Europe and America he hastravelled many times ; in fact, his. statement that for the past thirty years he has lived on the sea is quite appropriate. It is by this method of constantly scouring the world for “the best” that Mr Musgrove has gained his position as one of the world’s leading theatrical managers and has made his

name a household word in this part of the Globe.

Mr Musgrove’s connection with theatrical enterprises, whilst benefitting himself in respect to the accumulation of a tidy 7 fortune, has been wholly for good to the community. Invariably 7 his importations have been high-class, and: those who believe that the theatre, pronerly7 conducted, is an education, must look upon Mr Musgrove as something akin to a public benefactor. Of his boldness and daring in business matters it is surely a unique and notableinstance that, while running half-a-dozen companies in Australasia, heshould also control .the Shaftesbury Theatre in London.

' I questioned Air Musgrove upon one or two points of passing interest. “Christchurch as a show town ?” “Quite satisfactory, but nothing to what it will be when you get a new theatre and when the electric trams are .running. You would scarcely credit the difference the electric trams make to theatre receipts. In Auckland the introduction of the electric system added 43400 a week to our takings. They tell me the Christchurch trams will be complete in a twelvemonth ; if the new theatre could be ready by the same time there would not be much to complain of. Our Shakespearian company was unable to show in Christchurch solely on account of the inadequate theatre accommodation.” Mr Musgrove Moes not believe in the proposal initiated by Mr Tree in London to allow all seats in a theatre to be reserved. “With the pitites,” said he, “it’s a question of first come, first served. As soon as the doors opened they would rush in and take the best seats they could get, reserved or not, and who could shift them ?” Ee predicts failure for the scheme. “Why not Australian actors a chance ?” “There aren’t any,” was the blunt reply. “There’s no opportunity in Australia for the development of really good .actors. What chance have they got of being trained ? Now, suppose I started a company confined to Australian actors, why, we’d starve in a week. Quite recently we had an opening for several, but we couldn’t get one. Of course there are many who think they can act, and there are plenty who find their way on to the stage who would be morp legitimately employed breaking stones. “Yes,” said Mr Musgrove in conclusion “I like New Zealand financially and •every way, and am not likely to leave it out of my programme eien with my most expensive companies, but, really, 1 can’t promise that all will find their way to Christchurch unless your people will provide a theatre capable of accommodating them.”

MISS GERTIE CAMPION.

The Dunedin dramatic correspondent of the “Canterbury Times” writes The New Zealand friends of Miss Gertie Campion have already been apprised of the serious nature of her illness. The following extracts from a letter received from an ex-Dunedinite in Johannesburg, who has interested himself on Miss ('ampion’s behalf, throws further light on her unfortunate position :—“Though Miss Campion’s talents were such that she commanded a high salary as salaries go, all she earned, after providing for herself and sisters, was sent home. The heavy expense of months of sickness caused her illness to assume a seriousness that would have been absent in one less highly-strung than Miss Cam-

pion. Ease of mind, in the knowledge of the splendid generosity being shown by the friends in New Zealand, has done more for her recuperation than all the doctors have-been able to do for her since she has been laid aside. Hemorrhage, which at one time threatened to seriously interfere with her prospects of ever recovering, has attacked her but slightly of late, and the latest report from the doctor was that one lung was not impaired. Her general health since she has been at the Sans Souci Sanatorium (about four miles from Johannesburg) has been good, but the hacking cough that is always present keeps her weak. A long sea voyage is, however, at present out of the question. If she were to progress as she has been doing the doctors would not forbid her making! a trip to Melbourne, say, in a col pie of months. Miss Campion is most anxious to get to her mother. Yet it would be the gravest risk to send her off in her present state.” Since the foregoing was written, Mr Bert Royle has received a cable from Miss Campion, appealing for the balance of the Gertie Campion Fund, in order that her mother might go out to her. As the doctor now forbids Miss Campion returning, it is taken to mean that the case of the once bright little actress is hopeless.

“ AGATHA ” AT HIS MAJESTY’S, LONDON.

Since it is quite certain that the actor-manager cannot follow all the counsels that are offered him, it is perhaps as well if he proceeds as heretofore, acting on his own judgment and his knowledge of the requirements of his public. He will never, of course, be able to please every section of the public, but he will find the discontented members of the general audience less ready to bombard him with advice than the professional critics. These reflections are forced upon me (says the critic of the “L.V. Gazette”) by the action of Mr Tree, some comments which appeared in the “Daily Mail” of Wednesday, and a; paragraph I wrote in this page last week. In the paragraph I refer to I urged the manager of His Majesty’s Theatre to make the special performances of the School of Acting more interesting and artistically useful by refraining from reviving slabs of old dramatic works and producing new, untried pieces in their place. On Tuesday afternoon, for a matinee performance on behalf of the Princess Mary’s Village Homes at Addlestone, Surrey, Mr Tree produced a new, untried piece by Mrs Humphrey Ward and Mr L. N. Parker entitled “Agatha,” and our contemporary remarked thereupon : “Under the circumstances (the performance raised £1,650 on behalf of the Homes), it would be ungracious on our part to cri-

ticise very severely the play, which, after all, gave Mr Tree, several wellknown actors and actresses and a large audience the opportunity of doing a kindly, charitable act. Our only regret is that Mr Tree did not add still further to his kindness by lending the committee not only his theatre, but also one of the popular, well-tried pieces in his repertory.” It is small wonder if Mr Tree, pastes the two passages side by side, and refreshes his soul by glancing at them every time a piece of gratuitous advice is slung at his devoted head.

And yet I am quite prepared to advance reasons to show that my scheme has much to recommend it—even to pick my reasons from the production of “Agatha.” To begin with, it confirmed the general opinion, based upon the representation of the same authoress’s “Eleanor” when it was seen some two vears ago at the Court Theatre, that Mrs Humphrey Ward has not yet mastered the art "of writing for the stage. It may he that she possesses the necessary qualifications, but the collaboration with Mr Parker has not been instrumental in drawing them out. .'Whatever latent qualifications Mrs Ward possesses are still to be revealed. Moreover, the production of “Agatha” is interesting as a further demonstration of Mr Parker’s “in-and-out running” as a dramatist. No man now writing for the theatre has been more successful and less so. In collaboration with some men he gives one the impression that he is a born playwright, and in partnership with others he makes one wonder how he could have induced a manager to “chance him” at all. Such a tremendous lot appears to depend upon the other man. Then, again, to pursue my argument another step further, this same “Agatha,” though a desperately old-fashioned, unconvincing, and disappointing piece of work, has shown us Miss Viola Tree, not in a part in which she challenges comparison with a score of other actresses either dead or living, but in one that, for what it is worth, is new and untramelled by tradition. In “Agatha” Miss Tree impersonates a charming (because Miss Tree made her charming), beautiful (for the same reason), and high-thinking girl who is driven by the authors into an antiquated and artificial stage-corner. It would have been impossible for the most experienced actress to have disguised the poorness of the play, and it may be that an actress of more experience would have lacked that fresh buoyancy of girlishness which characterised Miss Tree’s performance. Considering that this is only the fourth part in which she has been seen, the young actress may be congratulated upon an exceedingly sound and greatly promising performance.

The theme of “Agatha” is more stolidly unsparing in its handling of morality than many plays which would pass in England as unpleasant. Very briefly described, it is the story of a man, an impecunious baronet, who wishes to sell his daughter in marriage to a rich, elderly colonel for the financial gain that he will reap from the deal. The girl is fond of her elderly admirer—it would have been all the same to her father if she hadn’t been I—but1 —but girlishly capricious. Her father finds he has to put pressure upon her, so l.e tells her that she is illegitimate. I.e further informs her that unless she obeys his behests he will disclose to the whole world the story of her mother’s shame. That is the sort of peach—to use an Americanism' —that is trotted out as the villain of Mrs Ward and Mr Parker’s play. But, unpleasant as one must find such a parent in any play, this particular play ends happily, and one may suppose that that, at least, is in its favour.

Mr J. T. Grein, in a lecture on Stateaided theatres in London recently, said that he had found by experience that very few people knew what was me nt by subsidised theatres. At the pres nt time France, the most artistic country in the world, led the way in the matter of State-aided theatres, for in Paris there were no fewer than four. To the Comedie-Francaise the State gave £9OOC a year, and exercised some fight of selection in the plays produced. The actor’s point in regard to the ComedieFrancaise was that it was the acme of his ambition ; it inspired him to do great things, and after five years’ seri ice at it he was assured of comfort for the rest of his life. In Germany the little city of Weimar contributed £75,000 1 that it might have the best plavs of its best dramatists played in the ' best manner. In the matter of theatres England had plenty—too many. In ten to twenty years there would be such a slump in theatres as would possibly put an awful check on this form of speculation. One proof that the public was amenable to good plays was the success of one when it came. In his opinion the public did not care a rap whether a play was under-dressed or over-dressed, but it did care for good plays—plays with grip in them and properly acted.

The following testimonials from New Zealand patients speak for themselves. These are but a few, taken from scores of others, that can be seen at any time at Mr 31 artin’s consulting rooms: — AN UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIAL SENT TO THE CHRISTCHURCH PAPER BY A WELL-KNOWN RESIDENT. To the Editor. 24, Lower High Street, Christchurch. April is, 1904. Dear Sir,—Allow me, through the medium of your columns, to give my own experiences regarding the methods now before the public for the relief and cure of rupture. For the past twenty-five years I have suffered from a bad scrotal rupture on my left side. I tried every kind of cure .that gave the faintest hope of relief, but gradually got worse. Twelve months ago I adopted a treatment with an elastic truss, to be worn day and night, and a lotion to be rubbed in. I acted according to directions, but instead of it curing me I got worse under the treatment, the agony being sometimes indescribable. While in this deplorable condition the advertisement of Dr. J. A. Sherman’s Method caught my eye in the papers, and three weeks ago I consulted Mr Martin at the Clarenaon Hotel. I am happy to say that there and then I found the relief I had been longing foij. The appliance is the most comfortable one I ever wore; in fact, I don’t feel it on me. Already I feel quite a different man, and have enjoyed better health these few weeks than I have done for years. Hence you will see why I appreciate Mr Martin’s services,and I feel it my duty to make this public declaration, that others affected may know where to obtain relief, and avoid the delay and suffering from experiments, such as T for long years experienced. Apart from Mr Martin’s undoubted skill as a specialist in rupture, it is a pleasure to add that he is one of the most straightforward gentlemen I have ever met.—l am, vours truly, WILLIAM BATES, Furniture Manufacturer. Heriot, December 28, 1903. MR A. W. MARTIN. Dear Sir,—My four children treated by you are all cured. One boy eleven years old had been ruptured for ten years, the girl, eight years old, had been ruptured for ’ two years, another boy, five year® old, ruptured since a baby, and the youngest, one and a-half years old, also ruptured since a baby. I say Dr. J. A.

Sherman’s method is a great boon to humanity, as I am convinced that it is a certain cure for rupture. Yours gratefully, mrs wm. McDonald. Mornington, Dunedin, April 7, 1904. Mr A. W. MARTIN. Dear Sir, —It gives me very great pleasure to let you know that I am keeping Al. I was ruptured about three and ahalf years ago, and foolishly neglected it for about eighteen months. The rupture had then broken right through and completely filled the scrotum. I went to my doctor and he ordered me to wear a truss, so I went to the chemist and had one adjusted; but I might just as well have left it alone; in fact, I suffered more pain with it on than I did without it. I was then told by the chemist that I would have to get one made specially to suit me, and I was sent to Mr Johnstone, the specialist. The special truss he made certainly supported the rupture, but it was heavy and cumbersome, and so close fitting that I perspired very considerably, and was kept uncomfortable. After wearing the above for nine months I read your advertisement re the Dr. Sherman Method, and after my first interview with you I was forced to the conclusion that the Dr. Sherman Method was by far the most commonsense method that had come under my notice. I then placed myself under this treatment, and I am exceedingly thankful to be able to say that my first conclusions have been fully substantiated by the results, and I am now a sound man. After having tried three different appliances I can honestly state that for safety, surety, and comfort, Dr. Sherman’s Method is just the thing for anyone troubled with this common yet painful malady. You are at perfect liberty to make what use of this you like. Believe me to be, yours sincerely, W. G. HANNAH. Dunedin, April 18, 1904.. A well-known accountant in Dunedin who suffered agony from trusses, writes.: —“lt gives me a .great amount of gratification to inform you that for the past four months my rupture has given me no trouble. I am not wearing the appliances at all now, and just feel as I did before I was ruptured. I must say I am more than satisfied with your method of treatment, and very grateful for the result.” Waimate, May 8, 1904. MR A. W. MARTIN. Dear Sir,—ln reply to your kind enquiry, I hardly know how to thank you for curing me of a very painful rupture by Dr. J. A. Sherman’s Method. I left off wearing the appliances three months

ago, and I never felt better in my life, not even before this affliction came upon me. At odd times J put on the appliances as a safeguard when I take athletic exercise, and it is so comfortable to wear. I am sure I could not have been iong for this world if I had not got your treatment, as the pain and torture of other trusses, of which I had many, were something cruel, and would kill any man in time. Your treatment is one to be proud of and thankful for, and it will afford me great pleasure to meet sufferers and tell them how pleased I was with it. You are at perfect liberty to use this as vou like.—l am, Yours sincerely, W. F. GEORGE. Anderson’s Bay, Dunedin, 31 ay 3, 1904. MR A. W. MARTIN. Dear Sir, —I have much pleasure in informing you that after applying the Sherman treatment for over nine months, the rupture has entirely disappeared. I take the appliance off occasionally, but intend to wear it for three months longer, as a safeguard. I feel assured that at the end of that period I will be quite safe to dispense with the treatment entirely. I have no hesitation in saying that the Sherman appliance is the best I have seen. The elastic truss is not to be compared to it. It is comfortable to wear, simple, and efficient. I have recommended it to all who have asked my opinion, and will always do so in the future.—l am, Yours truly, WILLIAM GALL. 3lay 18, 1404. Another grateful patient from Dunedin writes:—“Some years ago I got a kick while playing football, with the result that I received a rupture on my right side. I was advised by a medical man to undergo an operation, which I did. I was operated on in the Dunedin Hospital by Dr. , who advised me to wear one of Thomson, Maw, and Son’s trusses for six months after the operation. I followed out his instructions, and after the six months had expired he told me I need wear the truss no longer, as I was cured. No sooner did I remove the truss than I found myself in a worse condition than before. Not only did the rupture again appear, but the operation had so mutilated me that the rupture was twice as large. From that time I wore trusses and trusses; some aided me as long as I kept in an upright position, while others were nothing short of a sweaty contrivance. Three months ago T consulted you on Dr. J. A. Sherman’s method, and I DO NOT HESITATE TO SAY THAT I HAVE DERIVED MORE ENJOYMENT OUT OF LIFE THESE PAST THREE MONTHS than I have de-

rived for the past seven years. I cannot say as to the curative powers of thia treatment, as my case fias not given it a trial yet, but this I do know, that th® APPLIANCE WORN is the BEST FRIEND EVER INVENTED FOR SUFFERERS OF HERNIA. For myself, lam not particularly anxious about a cure so long as I have the appliance. I ran in aone hundred yards foot race on the Caledonian Ground the other dav, which is initself SUFFICIENT PROOF of the SUPPORT offered by this APPLIANCE.” A mafnager of a large establishment in Princess Street. Dunedin, writes:—“l have suffered untold agony for the past thirtyfive years from a double scrotal rupture. I have tried all kinds of trusses from London and other places, but they were useless, none of them being able to perfectly retain the ruptures. Some of them gave me ertra torture by chafing the skin nearly all off my back. I was getting alarmed at my fearful condition, and had given up all hope of relief, when I noticed that Dr. J. A. Sherman’s Methodwas to be introduced into New Zealand. I resolved to give it a trial, and certainly without any faith, as I could not imagine that by applying a compound to the outside it would cause a wound to heal inwardly. However, I consulted 3Tr Martin, and he suited the treatment to my case, and I must say that I felt the first day that life was worth living after all. The appliance is light, keeps in place, and having no pads to touch the backbone, I have freedom to do anything. I have not finished the compound" yet, as I not only want the orifices closed, but made thoroughly strong, which< will be shortly now. Considering the size of the openings, and the short time I have used the Sherman Remedies, I think it simply marvellous, and as long a» I live I will do what I can to put all people who suffer from the trouble on to the Sherman Treatment, knowing that the benefit they will receive will causa them to tell others.” May 28, 1904. A manager of a large station in Southland writes:—“l am pleased to informyou that I have no further trouble sine* I got your appliance in December last* and I think the cure pretty well completed, though I have not yet gone for any length of time without the appliance. I have still a little of the curative compound left, and I am still applying it. I have done the HEAVIEST WORK this summer with the GREATEST OF EASE, and I can assure you that I am VERY GRATEFUL for Dr. Sherman’s appliance."