THE DAVENPORTS IN AUCKLAND.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 130, 4 June 1877, Page 4

THE DAVENPORTS IN AUCKLAND.

The following is a more detailed account than that transmitted to as by telegraph, of the recent scene at the Davenport Brothers' entertainment in Auckland. There was great excitement at the theatre last night. Professor Fay delivered his usual preparatory address, when Mr Hurst (the Mayor) and Mr Hesketh (solicitor) went on the stage to tie the Davenporis. Ira Davenport protested against the Mayor's tying, and William Davenport directly afterwards protested against Hesketh's. Ira then called out that he was being brutally tied, upon which the Mayor appealed to the judgment of any medical man that his tying was fair. Dr Hooper, in obedience to loud calls from the audience, went on the atage and examined the lying, He said there was no such pressures would prevent free circulation of blood; he could place hia finger between the cords and ekin. This announcement was received with cheers. The Mayor and Mr Heeketh proceeded with tyiDg the Davenports, who insisted they were the best judges aa to whether the tying was brutal, and protested against being disabled or injured. Both brothers demanded to be loosed. Fay loosed William Davenport, but Ira remained tied. Ira demanded that the Mayor should loose him, but the Mayor with Mr fleaketh walked off the atage, leaving Ira tied. While the brothers were tied Fay whispered to them to " try it." They did try it, but evidently one brother suffered from something stronger than what Good Templura drink. Wiiliam Swanson, M.H.R., and Captain Braund afterwards went on the stage and offered to tie tbem. Captaia Braund/Baid the Davenports must allow themselves to be tied properly. The brothers came forward, one rubbing hia wrists, while the other showed a red mark. Mr Hesketh got up and stated that the mark was not made by tightness of the cord, but by the straining of one of the Darenports to keep hia wrists apart. There was a storui of excitement, some of the audience demanding the return of their money. iDavis suggested that it would be hard he should suffer because one part of the entertainment bad broken down. Fay challenged the knots of both Hurst and Hebketb, and offered to be tied, but the .audience foolishly refused, and yelled ;for the Davenports. Davis, with great [tact, commenced hia ventriloquial performance and almcstimmediaiply put the ;au dience in a good humor. Fay then performed the dark aeance with Heaketh and the Mayor on the stage. A vote of ihanks ;waa passed. The Fay-knot is what ie called a Tom Fool's Knot—double slip nooee over each hand then tied over with an ordinary fast knot. Both Hufbt and Hesketh knew they were going on the stage, and during the day were shewn the knot by Funny, late Provincial Analyst, who ia aaid tote' able to do the tope tying feat. Hurst and Heaketh practised during the day. The same knot was tied a few days ago but only one was so tied, aud it ia Buppoaed that tbe other got loose. At the cud of the dark seance Fay aaid that (hey claimed no Bupernatural aid whatever. There was considerable aurprieo

that the audience did not accept Fay'a challenge. There is a split ia the company. Davies, goes to San Francisco and the Davenports to Australia;. The cabinet seanco is not announced for to-night.