EXPERIENCES OF A DIORAMA LECTURER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1143, 1 September 1883, Page 1

EXPERIENCES OF A DIORAMA LECTURER.

A curious case was heard in the R. M. Court, Dunedin, recently. Montana Mosley, a person not unknown in Wellington, sued R F Smith and G F Fodor for £7, for moneys due and damages for alleged wrongful dismissal. The plaintiff deposed that the defend mts engaged him as a lecturer for Kook’s diorama of the Egyptian war. After a conversation with Fodor it was airauged that he should get £3 a week for a month, £4- a week afterwards, and 10 per cent on the profits over £6O when travelling outside Dunedin, subject to a fortnight’s notice on either side. He attended a rehearsal when the defendants were present, and both were -'satisfi-d whh what he could do. and said it was quite a treat to hoar him after the previous lecturer. On the 7fh July (Srturdav) lie delivered his first lector". Ho i aw F.id< r fci.ere but not Smith Fodor hud been on the stage witli witness in the afternoon, and told him that he should have something to drink. Fodor did not then seam dissatisfied with witness, and there was nothing mentioned as to his givi g the prizes away, but he understood it was a portion of the lecturer’s work to give the prizes away. Fodor told him on the niglu previous that the company could not afford to go to the expense of giving away the more costly priz"S, and that he was to endeavour to find people who won’d give him £3 or £4 on their getting the best ones. Witness said that Smith would not agree to that, bill Fodor a id—- ‘ Never mind ; you must do it, and give me the rnomy.’ He refused to carry out Fodor’s suggestion, and repeatedly said so. On the Saturday night, he saw Fodor, who said the exhibition went very well, and worked very;' satisfactorily. During an interval of a quarter of an hour be was on the stage, and did not leave the building at all. Ho resumed Ins duties after the interval, and Mr Fodor said nothing to him then. Shortly aftei wards Fodor came on the stage, and shoved him to one side, saying, ‘Get out of here, you drunken Irishman,' and nearly knocked witness over. Fodor told witness not to give out the prizss, that he would do it himself. Ha frequently told witness that he was drunk. Witness said to the bystanders, ‘Ami drunk ?Am I drunk V '(Laughter). He left the theatre immediately afterwards. He was perfectly sure he was sober. He spoke audibly during the first part of the lecture, but he was nervous in the second part, because ho did not know it so well. The further hearing of the case (adds the Dunedin Herald) was adjourned.