A VINDICATION.

Evening Star, Issue 2862, 22 April 1872, Page 2

A VINDICATION.

To the Editor, Sir, —It is with very great reluctance 1 am compelled to crave space in your columns to explain away a matter affecting my reputation. I am given to understand, by the testimony of several influential gentlemen in town, that Mr Geddes, the lessee of the Theatre, has industriously circulated a report calulated to damage me—to the effect that I had treated him very shabbily in a negotiation I entered into with him in reference to engaging the Theatre for Professor Haselmayer’s entertainment. But I am of opinion, Sir, when 1 place the matter in its proper light before the public, it will be at once seen who should bear the blame in the affair. To commence at the beginning. A letter from the lessees of the Princess Theatre was received by Professor Haselraayer in Christchurch, dated April 9, which letter, in the ordinary course of business, was handed to me by the Professor, as his agent and representative in Dunedin, which letter I have now in my possession. To give you an idea of the tactics of the lessees of the local Theatre, and the style in which they would, if they had it in their power, coerce people to do as they would desire, I will place before your readers one or two extracts from this extraordinary communication. Their letter opens in this unique manner “ Wishing to centralise all business connected with amusements in the Princess Theatre, we are induced to write to you for the purpose of arranging terms, if possible, so that we may not be in opposition to one another. If we can do so, we purpose taking our company to Invercargill during your visit here, which we think will be a mutual benefit, especially to yourself {sic), as the theatre will hold much larger audiences and is much more suitable for your entertainment than any other building here. ” The modest lessees then proceed to state their terms. They provide music, money and check takers, &c., and a two-inch advertisement in the Star and Times, and the only conditions are :—“ That we share equally after there first being deducted the sum of seven pounds—that is to say : that whatever there may be in the house after seven pounds being deducted, you take half aud we the other half.” Now, sir, is it possible to conceive that any persons who call themselves business men could have had the audacity to make such an absurd proposition as the one I have just quoted ? I may state that the original document is open for the inspection of any one who may desire to peruse it. I intend to keep it as a curiosity j and 1 can

safely assert that in my experience I have never met with its equal. I shall conclude by stating that as I did not see fit, in justice to P ofessor Haselmayer and myself, to accede to the terms proposed by Messrs Geddes and Willis, they have endeavored to thwart me in every .way. I can, however, confidently rely on the public of Dunedin, and have no doubt that the liberal support which the Professor has received at the hands of the inhabitants of every place be has visited will not be withheld from him here. 1 may add that I have also heard that injurious reports affecting my character have been bruited about; but these I can afford to pass over with contempt. Apologising for trespassing thus far on your space, I am, &c., Alex. Robinson, Agent for Professor Haselmayer. Dunedin, April 22.