A SPLENDID "GOOD-BYE"

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2270, 2 October 1914, Page 2

A SPLENDID "GOOD-BYE"

.TO THE BUCKLER-PAGET CO. • One of tho most interesting and intellectually refreshing seasons of good comedy enjoyed in Wellington for maiiy years terminated in a blaze of .enthusiasm at the Grand Opera- Houso last e,veiling. Tho house was packed to overflowing, and a remarkably good performance of Arnold Bennett's whimsical comedy, -"The Groat' Adventure," gave immense pleasure to all present. Tho whole of the fainilv'circle had been purchased by . •' Johnston and presented to tho Expeditionary Force, and as. that part of the auditorium seats over' a thousand persons, those, who were not present can limagine what a sight this dense mass- of khaki-clad, soldiers presented'. At the conclusion of the performance a veritablo garden of beautiful flowers was handed up to tho ladies of the company,' and as this process was j operation tho troopers "oil the top shelf" rose and sang, "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow," presumably directing the oompliment to Mr. Hugh Buckler. Then there were for a speech ( and Mr Buckler came forward and said that lr thought thoy should have sung the song

,in honour of Johnston, win. had bought the whole of the seats o( the top circle and to whom lie was deeply obliged. Mr. Buckler said that he was delighted with the result of the season, which he had approached with considerable fear, as everyone had told them, that they could not possibly do any business. As a matter of fact the season had been a good one, ai Wellington had been the best town they had • visited. It enabled him to say that they would leave New Zealand without having lost any money—which was a great . thing to say in these times. They had tried to present good p.lays, and intended .to continue to produce good plays in Sydney. They had not originally intended to do so many plays here—they had played no fewer than seven during tho past week—and he knew that some of them had not been presented as they should have been. Speaking for himself, his wife, and tho members of his company, he remarked on the manner they had been received in Wellington, and 1 how people of all classes had done their utmost to place them all on a remarkable footing. He wished tho boys in the gallery the best of luck, hoped they would all como back safe and sound, and'that he 'would see them all when the company returned to New Zealand next yoar. (Applause.)The curtain was lowered, and on being raised again tho National Anthem was sung, after which Miss Violet Paget called for three cheers "for the men who are going to the front," which were very heartily responded to. Finally the whole audience joined in singing "Auld Lang Syne." It was a memorable evening. - ■