CHILDREN "SUPERS"

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2148, 14 May 1914, Page 6

CHILDREN "SUPERS"

DESCENT OF THE TRUANT OFFICER. An advertisement. trliioli'- appeared; in yesterday's Dominion, asking for thirty ' cluldren for the plantation scene in "Undo Tom's Cabin j" had' a most extraordinary effect, which could be noted : by aiiybno passing the-new Opern House between the hours of 1.30 p.m. and 2.30' ' p.m. yesterday. ..There.wore gathered '■ about the front of-the playhouse and ' down the rightt-bf-way between '200 and 300 children, ranging.in ape.from fivo i to fifteen years, boys and girls, but more of theflatter sex.. Some came ' with their mothers or sisters, but the bulk of those present, had obviously ' come "on their own," 1;o endeavour to ' sample the glories of the stage. Thirty ' were advertised for, but the manage- '' mont really only required a dozen, and ' theso wore soon selected by tho stace ' manager Mr., Herbert Leigh). Scarce- i ly. had/the ta'slc.beencompleted- than the Iniaiit Officer of tho Education ! Hoard (Mr. Dinccii) put in an.appearance, to tho consternation of many of ] the boys, who knew tho official by sight ■ He at once began to take tho names ' or the boys and .girls -who had not ' taken the alarm, and soon had on his hook the names of some thirty or forty delinquents, who should have b(en attending school instead of attempting to tread the primrose, pathway (?) of the stage Mr. pineen then approached Mr. Leitch, and informed him that ho liad been instructed to act in the matter and-requested tho names of the I eira; and boys. Who had been > «", • as i s"Pcrs" for "Undo Tom s Cabin." The list was ehee fu v I handed over to.AIr, Dineen. and in due course the parents of tho children .whoso names were secured will hoar of tlie matter througli tho proper channel. Mr Dincmi made it clear that the children should not be there diirmg school hours, but did uot hiut, that -ffio management was in ah way to blame. v As to those who liacl been engaged, he explained that it was to iiim a moot point as to who- ' tlior they should he allowed to appear as it Lad been hold by a Wellinctbn magistrate (the late Dr. UfArtlnir) that' ' a child who was so engagedwt night was \ hnrdly as fit to pay that attention to her 1 lessons at school tho next dav as could be desired. In any case, lie thought it c would ho necessary to obtain a permit or ' license for each.child engaged up to 14 years of age. ' Uγ. Loi.<?b. informed flip officer that ' there was little for tlie children to do— * they just walked on in somo of the r scones to make up the "populace," and ' were all finished at 0.30 p.m. or 9.45 "} p.m. nt-Mie latest. Ho wanted them j there on the opening niglit at 6.30 p.m., " and thereafter at 7.30 p.m. Tho ciiil- r (\i-cn bad'not to bo tauVht .anything— s they were just tliero to dress tlie sta'ce. l Tie had not had any trouble elsewhere, and did not think thero was much cause * for any here. The children were not r>aid much, but tliat little was sometimes k helpful wlicro the parents wore in needy " circumstances. . • ■ o _„_ 1.