THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 791, 15 June 1877, Page 4

THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS.

—o — An exchange gives us the following respecting tho nutccsaful tying of tho Brothers at Auckland : [Auckland, May 30th. An oxciting scene occurred last night in tho Theatre, when tho Davenports were effectually tied up by tho Mayor and Mr Hesketh, solicitor. Tho knot had been suggested to tho Mayor hyJMr Tunny, Provincial Analyst, who has seen it tried before. The Mayor andJMrJHeskethlpractisedfit in the afternoon, and were acting in concert, putting it on both Brothers. After the tying had proceeded so far that their hands were firmly secured behind their backs {continual remonstances proceeding from the Brothers during the process), a very excited colloquy was observedHtojfbe ‘going *on between the Mayor and Ira Davenport, in which the latter was heard accosting the Mayor in violent terms, asserting that the ropes were tied so tightly as to injure him. Mr Hurst stated to the audience that his subject complained of being brutally tied. He was satisfied that such was not the ease, and if a medical man was present he would leave the matter to’ihis judgment,—(Loud uproar,"and cries of “JDr Hooper.”) Dr Hooper went on the stage amid much cheering. He carefully examined the repos, and declared that the tying was not excessive. He could put his finger between the ropes and the flesh. There was no stoppage of the circulation. Ira Davenport, in a loud voice to the Mayor : “ 1 say untie it; lam thejbest ‘ judge whether the tying is brutal or not, Dr Hooper.”—(Groans, howls, and cat-calls.) William Davenport, who looked very ill, also said the tying was very painfull and stopped the circulation. IrajDavenport doggedly demanding that he should be untied and His Worship declining to unloosen the knots. The’audience were in an nproar, shouting that the Davenports should confess themselves beaten and apologise. Both Brothers refused to go on, and persisted in the demand for liberation. William was at length let loose (and slackened the ropes on his brother. There was no reason whatever to believe that the tying had been unduly severe, and the spectators, satisfied of this, marked their disapprobation in continual groaning. After this had continued some time, Mr Swanson, M.H.R., and Captain Brand went on the stage and began to tie the Brothers with the same knot, when again they positively refused to submit. The Brothers retired from the stage most ungracefully, amid tremendous howls. The excitement was only quelled by the good management of Messrs Fay and Davis. Professor Fay offered to take the place of either of the Brothers and allow Mr Hurst and Mr Hesketh to tie him, but the audience were so incensed against the Davenports that they would not allow it. The box office was threatened with demolition, hut the affair ended orderly, andjwith few exceptions the people returned to witness Fay’s seance and Davis’s performance, which passed over very successfully, and both received a vote of thanks and loud applause. The breakingjup of the Company in consequence of the event is announced by Fay, Davis and Fay separating from the Davenports and travelling together. William DavenportJlpublishes a medical certificate stating that he is not in a fit condition to continue the performance. It says he has been suffering from [rupture of a blood vessel in the lungs for two months.