Pirating in Africa.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 320, 28 November 1888, Page 3

Pir ating in Africa.

A//>OfJO-> of the vigilance exercised by Messrs Sullivan and Gilbert to prevent the dialogue and score of the new Savoy comic opera leaking out, <i good story is going 'he round. Ie will be remembered that they were forestalled to a certain extent with their ' Mikado ' by a daring American manager before the popular piece was even placed before a London audience. That piece of Yankee smartness has taught the Castor and Pollux of the theatrical world a never-_to be-foi*gotten lesson. It landed them in enormous expense to frustrate the would-be pirater bv bringing out a horrid representation at New York. The precautions now being taken at the Savoy exceed anything heard of. The rehearsals are frequently conducted in a darkened room and without the performers being allowed to act in unison. Private detectives swarm round the theatre with strict injunctions as to strangers seeking admission. A few days ago, it is said, a gentleman with a black bag was seen hurriedly to enter the theatre. He had not proceeded far along the dark pabsage when at a given signal he was pounced upon, and, of courbe, depiived of his bag. On opening it a box was found, and the .conclusion formed was chat it was an infernal machine, but in the confusion that followed the un known flipped quietly away. Ifc was subsequently discovered that the box contained a photograph, with which it was intended co ' bottle up ' the words and the music of the new opera until its arrival in New York by first post.

A uei-son holding a high official position , objected to pay two shillings and sixpence an hour lo a Cajnbrjdge gradunteior tuition of hi& sons ; /whereupon the tutor sharply retorted, < JDo'you expect, air, a ' coach ' ford 16os' siiirrpeV l|oijr .than ypw pay a cab ?' ■ , ,