PLIMMER-HALL EFFORT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2486, 12 June 1915, Page 12

PLIMMER-HALL EFFORT

FINE FIGURES COMMENT IN THE SOUTH

(By "Patriot.")

When it was announced a few weeks ago that the Pliminer-Hall Comedy Co. intended to tour the Dominion for the benefit of the Belgian Filud, there were those who freely expressed the opinion that the motive actuating the manageinont was open to suspicion, and such suspicions «-ere given expression to in cold print in some quarters. This contemptibie manner of not only "lookiug a gift horse in the mouth" but of attempting to o'holte it altogether, has been hurtful in. a measure to the enterprise and a painful awakening to the two Now Zealand actor-managers, who were, I believe, actuated only by the highest and purest motives. Though the business done has not been very large anywhere, the undermentioned figures will show that the company has done excellent work, and the effort of Messrs. H. Plimmer and Winter Hall is one that reflects infinite credit on those gentlemen. The figures relating to contributions made through this notable effort—the first of its kind ever set in motion—are as follow:— £ s. d. To the Prime Minister (for Belgian Fund 1,500 0 0 To the Prime Minister (for Belgian Fund). . 0 0 To Mastertdn Fund 276 0 0 To Napier Fund 36 0 0 To Christchurch Fund ...... 152 D O To Dunedin Fund 78 0 0 To Timaru Fund 106 0 0 Total 2,909 0 9 In view of the fact that Messrs. Dimmer and Hall paid over £400 out of their own pockets in preliminary expenses, that no one stood to lose one penny except .those two gentlemen, and that the GoV&rnment granted no concessions (except remitting the duty on the printing), the result of the tour, now almost at an end, must be regarded as "a plume of honour" for Messrs. H, l'limmer and Winter Hall. In view of possible misconceptions, the Dunedin "Star" went into the whole matter of the tour with Messrs. Plimmer and Hall, the result being tho following article;— "In view of absolutely inoorreot and malicious reports in circulation regarding the Plimmer-Hall Company's tour, we have prevailed on the management to permit a short statement to be made as to the position. It has been said that the principals are drawing extrar vagant salaries, and that the 'patriotic' suggestion has been used merely to hoodwink, the publio. Another report in circulation is that the Government auditor was staggered by tho enormity of the paysheets for the aotors and actresses concerned in the production of the plays. When these statements were mentioned by a member of our staff to the management they were indignantly repudiated, and the books of tho tour were produced to show the baselessness of the statements. We are not allowed to divulge confidences entrusted to us in refutation of the allegations mentioned, but have been granted permission—reluctantly obtained, for, as Mr. Plimmer and Mr. Winter Hall rightly urge it is no concern of the publio what salaries are paid so long as the presentation of the meets with approval—to say that the ( highest sum that hag been drawn during the tour to any member of the company is £16 por week. The principals, in common with the rest of the company, were engaged at their usual salaries, and the reduction on the pavsheet represents their contribution to the patnotio fund. Again, the tour from the formation of the company till its close will extend over 14 weeks, but salaries are paid, for only 10 weeks, it uemg the rule in the profession not to pay actors and actresses for time occupied m travelling to and from Australia, or for any mglit when there is no performance. The assertion Tegardthe Government auditor, is flaj>dcodle. It was suggested that a Government treasurer should bo appointed, out this step was not deemed necessary, Ab a matter of fact, the only people who 'have been permitted to see the books are the Mayors of Wellington and Christchurch, and the latter goiltloman, from the stage, and through tho Press, gave publio expression to ills belief that the salaries and expeiises were as low as could be reasonably espected. His Excellency the Governor and the Prime Minister have written to tho management warmly thank!r S n m their services, and cordially appreciating tlioir assistanoe towards the patriotio movement. In some of tho 'smalls' a loss has accrued from the. performances, but Messre. Plimmer and Hall have already been enabled to hand the Government a sum approaching £3000, representing the profits of tho Dominion tourl Comment is needless." Final Result—£3goo, A message was received yesterday from Messrs. Plimmer and Hall, stating that the patriotic tour concluded in Invwcarffill on Tuesday evening last The result of the tour has been that the sum of £3500 has been paid to various patriotic funds throughout the Domin-