AUCKLAND ETHIOPIAN TROUPE.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 247, 24 October 1870, Page 2

AUCKLAND ETHIOPIAN TROUPE.

Apekson signing himself " One who Knows," writes to us complaining of a paragraph which appeared in this morning's Cross, and from which one would infer that the whole of the persons forming the above-named troupe have agreed to add to their numbers, and change their name to that of the " Orpheu3 Minstrels." The paragraph— no doubt written under a wrong impression—is calculated to injure the "original" troupe, which still flourishes, and retains the name of the Auckland Ethiopian Troupe. We ourselves had something to do with the formation of this troupe irTconnection with the monthly entertainments given at the Mechanics' Institute, and we will, therefore, give the correct version of what has actually taken place. It seems, then, that a few of the new members of the troupe wi3hed to get professional talent among them, and brought forward a motion to that effect. On two occasions, on both of which it was lost, the majority very properly thinking that, as the troupe had started as an amateur affair, it should remain so. It appears that the minority in favour of " professionals " resigned in a body, and have form.d a fresh company under the title of " The Orpheus Ministrels," among whom we are informed that there are no less than four professionals. Under these circumstances their advertisement is somewhat cool, seeing that the nenclus of the Ethiopian, with most of the talent, i», mains, and that it intends to maintain its reputation in spite of the Orpheus or any other body of discontented minstrels, and in this determination we have no doubt the troupe wiU continue to receive, as they always have received, the well-merited support of the public.