A New Zealander In Sydney Town

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 538, 15 December 1928, Page 7

A New Zealander In Sydney Town

(THE SUN’S Correspondent) SYDNEY, December 7. Those delightful English folk. Irene Vanbrugh and Dion Boucicault, who have given so much pleasure to thousands of admirers, have accepted an invitation from the Auckland League of Fenwomen. They expect to arrive in Auckland about January 15. “Even if Mr. Boucicault finds that his work, with the constant change of plays, should prevent him coming. I hope they will allow me to come, says Miss Vanbrugh, who believes that her husband will be able so to arrange his work that he.too, can partake of the hospitality of this live little organisation. Wonderful Hector The news of Hector St. Clair's divorce in Melbourne, a matter that escaped all the dailies, was heralded in the Sunday papex*s. Hector was not present on this occasion to murmur: ••isn't he wonderful?” Doris Nina Tomkins married Hector, who, by the way, is -43, the same age as his wife, in ‘England, in 1920. They lived happily together until 1924 when, following a tour in Queensland, Mrs. Tom-kins-St. Clair found that Hector paid marked attention to a member of the theatrical company in which they were travelling. Last year, she informed the Court, he went off to New Zealand without making any financial provision for her. A plea of desertion was successful in parting the Tomkins-St. Clairs. Call-Boy's Career Who says that the call boy never gets a chance to appear before the footlights? At the Arbitration Court the other morning, I was interested to hear Mr. Charlie Westmacott, of the J. C. Williamson directorate, under cross-examination. He denied most emphatically that the call-boy had no career, and that there was no turning low him at the end of the theatrical lane. Charlie Chaplin, he recalled, obtained his first speaking part while working in this humble capacity for Dion Boucicault. Seymour Hicks began in a manner. The late J. C. Williamson was another call-boy. To come even closer home, John Fuller, who once upon a time sang before the New' Zealand public before he ever imagined that he and brother Ben would be enrolled in the millionaire class, ran errands for the stage manager. Art Gallery Director J. S. McDonald, the “Melbourne Herald’s” art critic, is to be director of the N.S.W. Gallery. A protest was entered at the last moment, and it was thought for a time that the appointment would be deferred. However, Mr. McDonald has the coveted position, and his many friends wish him success in it. It has been confirmed by Cabinet. Tin Prosperity An ai-rival from the Malay Straits by the Dutch steamer Nieuw Holland this week was Mr. E. G. Banks, general manager of the Wailii goldmine. He has been investigating possibilities on the tin fields, as there is some prospect of his company investing some capital there. He is on his way back to New Zealand. Sir James Mills Returning Sir James Mills, head of the Union Steam Ship Company, is another New Zealander on his way back to his native land. Sir James is a passenger on the Comorin. As he had been sei'iously ill, he was ordered a sea trip, but on the voyage out to Egypt made so much improvement that he resolved to come on out to the Dominion. New Zealanders may be surprised to learn that the shipping knight is 81 years of age. He confirms the report that the Union Company proposes building another vessel for the Australia-Auckland-Vancouver trade. It will be considerably larger than the Aorangi. New-Zealand Bound Other arrivals during the week include Mr. C. Y. B. Sewell, a surveyor from the Federal Straits Government Service, and a New Zealander born, who is returning on furlough to the Dominion. Mr. Sewell is very proud of the fact that almost the whole of the survey service is manned by New Zealanders and Australians. Captain E. Rippingille, of the Yorkshire Regiment, who has been stationed in China for the last two years, arrived by the Taiping en route to New Zealand. “Lido Lady” for St. James "Lido Lady * will be “Good News” successor at the St. James Theatre. Elsie Prince will not have the lead in the new Fuller show. Yvette Anning has been engaged from London for the role. Billy Leonard will have the principal .comedy part. He, too, will shortly arrive from London. Minister to Marry The State Premier, Mr. Bavin is leeling the strain of office v~;_, considerably. For some time he has by no means been in the best of health, and the quarrel over the Taxation Bill has not lightened his labours. He is to go on holiday as soon as the session closes. Mr. Buttenshaw. deputy-P.remier, and Minister of Railways and Works, will take over the reins for a time. Therefore, Miss Clare Sugars, of Roseville, who is to marry the Minister on Saturday, will almost immediately play an exceedingly important role in the social life of Sydney. Mr. Buttenshaw and the bride-elect did their best to keep tho engagement a secret. But Pressmen were soon on their track. The Ministerial romance made a very bright front-page story one morning. KRIC RAMSDEX.