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Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 2, Issue 37, 18 April 1844, Page 1

Messrs. Thompson and harold having published in the Times of Tuesday last, a long statement of transactions relative to their coming to New Zealand, I beg to state to the public generally, that their statements are utterly false. If they have sustained injury there is a proper mode of redress open to them, but this mode they fear to adopt, because they know well they could not shew any injustice had been committed towards them, —I will remark as regards Mr. and Mrs. Thompson’s statement that their salary did not commence under their much talked of until the 29th December last, and they voluntarily gave up such engagement on the 4th January following, by leaving the Theatre on the night of Per • formance, by which the Theatre, then at the Royal Hotel, had to be closed, although a numerous audience had assembled. A fresh agreement was subsequently made (through the interest of friends sought by themj for two pounds ten shillings a week, and under such fresh agreement their salarietl were paid, for which their receipts are held. This fresh agreement, although Mr. Thompson’s own doing, did not afterwards please him, and he proposed that the Company should become a sharing one; this was agreed to, and he concerted the scheme of dividing the shares himself, which is held under his own hand writing. Although Mr, Thompson himself shared the proceeds of the House on that night and grossly violated the written scheme be had propounded, yet after one night this was not pleasing, and he brought forward a fresh one ; by which, Mr. Duke, who was to paint scenes, and perform numerous other duties was only to receive a half share, and Mr, Buckingham upon whom was to devolve the onerous duties of Stage Manager, &c., which would have occupied at least two thirds of his time to receive one share, while Mr. and Mrs. Thompson whose sole duties would consist in atteudinga Rehearsal and attending on nights of Performance were to receive tivo shares. These terms were too ridiculous and unreasonable to be acceded to, and the consequence was that the Company became divided. With regard to Mr. Harold no engagement was ever made with him. His name had been too prominent in the Lauuceston Papers to render such a circumstance likely. It was arranged that Mrs. Harold and her child should leave Launceston with us. When she subsequently came to Sydney, she ('to the great surprise of all parties) was accompanied by Mr. Harold, (the whole 4 of whose statement with regard to what took place in Sydney is a fabrication ), It was only through considerable persuasion, they were allowed to come with us, because Mr Harold was not required. It unfortunately happened also that they were advanced certain monies, and their Passage paid to this place, which leaves him considerably m Mr. Buckinghams debt: Mr. Harold’s own receipts will testify the truth of this present statement and he cannot deny that up to the time of the Theatre opening in Shortland Crescent, himself, wife, and child, were entirely supported by Mr. Buckingham, a fact for which his own hand writing is also held. I will only further remark that the majority of clothes be now wears are mine, lent to him on his first arrival, and Which, I cannot get returned ; and that it comes under my knowledge even the beddiug Mr. Harold sleeps on is the property of Mr. Buckingham. JOHN H. McCABE. Auckland, April 16th, 1844. TO THE PUBLIC. HAVING seen an advertisement (?) in the Auckland Times of Tuesday last, signed “ Thompson and Harold,” wherein a gross attack is made on my character, which they have throughout attempted to sustain by a tissue of falsehoods, I beg to state that it was at first my intention not to notice anything that proceeded from that quar» ter, but to treat it with that contempt which it merits; but as all the good folks of Auckland may not be acquainted with the character of that •' par nobile Fratrum,” and it is possible if I remained silent, some credit might be given to their unfonnded misrepresentations; I shall feel thankful to any who may take an interest in the matter, if they will call at my house in Shortland Crescent, where I will produce such testimonials as will entirely refute their malignant aspersions, and satisfy them as to my character for twelve years past, since my first arrival in Sydney by the brig Mountaineer, Captain William Thomson, from Liverpool, in 1832* But with respect to my “ Sydney notoriety,” tha short paragraph below will speak for itself. ” We perceive that Mr. Buckingham of tha Theatre takes bis farewell Benefit on Monday Evea ning, after eight years, being an established favourite on these boards. We doubt not that a crowded house will testify the public sense of his long and popular career.”-— Sydney Herald, August Uth, 1840. "On their own merits modest men are Dumb! “ Justejudicato'’— Pangloss.” Hum l GEORGE BUCKINGHAM. Auckland, April 13, 1844. I THE UNDERSIGNED do hereby testify y that THOMAS HAROLD told me personally at the Royal Hotel, that lie was uot under any engagement to Mr. BUCKINGHAM. I hare also seen his Receipts >or his Salary up to the time he left Mr. Buckingham’s Theatre. Signed WILLIAM DUKE.