An Elocutionist in Trouble.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 137, 9 May 1884, Page 3

An Elocutionist m Trouble.

(mSTITED PBESS ASSOCIATION.) Auckland, May 7. An entertainment was announced at St. Sepulchre's Schoolroom last night, under tho auspices of the Auckland Benevolent , Society, at •which Mr J. Forster Wanstall, 8.A.; was to recite " Enoch Arden." He never appeared, however, and the money was returned. The poetical reciter had fallen into the hands of the Philistines, and was, m fact, safely ensconsed m the police cells, having been locked up on a charge of drunkenness. It further transpired subsequently that he had been arrested at the instance of the Benevolent Society, under whose auspices he ■was to have lectured, and that charges of a more serious character were to be made against him The affair Las naturally caused considerable astonishment, and has given rise to some scandal as to the extent and nature of the prisoner's con nee tion with the Benevolent Society. He was recommended by Dr Murray as a suitable subject for charity. Wanstall represented himself as a qualified medical piactitioner, although he was not registered. He denied he was addicted to drink, but admitted taking chloral to procure sleep. He displayed a willingness to work, and, being possessed of good elocutionary ability, it was decided to arrange the recital of last night m order that Wanstall might be furnished with a decent suit of clothes and started afresh. Circulars and tickets were issued, but late m the evening the erratic elocutionist was discovered m an intoxicated stato m Queen Street, and was conducted to the police station, where he was charged with drunkenness to da}% and as he was suffering from delirium tiemens he was remended for eight days. It is probable he will be further charged with obtaining money under false pretences. Wanstall represented himself to be a nephew of Sir Havry Parkes, British Ambassador to China.