DECLINED A FREE PASS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9568, 14 August 1909, Page 7

DECLINED A FREE PASS.

A good story is told of Mr Hugh J. Ward, the clever young actormanager, who, with his company of comedians, is to tour New Zealand shortly. While exploring the ruins of a temple in ancient Shanghai, he remarked to a member of his party that he would like to know what a certain inscription meant "If you will allow the privelege 1 will enlighten you," said a voice from the throng which had gathered round the tourists. The speaker, a Chinese gentleman, not only gave an eloquent •and interesting discourse upon the history of the temple, but escorted the party around the ancient city. Upon making his adieux, Mr Ward asked for the Chinese gentleman's card, and, to show his appreciation of the kindly services he had rendered, subsequently addressed to him an invitation to the theatre. The reply was addressed to Mr "Huge Joke" Ward, in splendid humour, and give many curious reasons why he preferred to come to the theatre and pay. Mr Ward thereupon wrote: "Your name shall go down to hist:ry as the first man who ever refused a pass to the theatre. I have played all over Arrierica, England, an engagement in Paris, j Australia, New Zealand, India, and .the Far but I have to come to China to experience this unique sensation. I can now understand how the Chinese werj civilised centuries before the Christian era." i