A general meeting of the members of the theatrical profession
took place on Wednesday, in the saloon of the Haymarket Theatre, to establish an association having for its object to afford relief to aged and decayed performers ; Mr. Sheridan Knowles in the chair. Several speeches were made and resolutions moved, and letters from various quarters were read by the Secretary, besides a written report, which entered at considerable length into the necessity of providing for the wants of that class of society for whose relief the Association was intended, and stated with much force and fulness their claims upon
public sympathy. It was observed, that there were already two societies in existence having similar objects, but those were confined to persons who had enjoyed for a specified period engagements at Covent Garden or Drury Lane; whereas a more comprehensive pro- vision—namely, one for the profession at large—was contemplated by the present meeting. It is expected that the funds necessary for this purpose will be derived partly from the contributions of the members of the society, and partly from the donations of individuals connected with the stage or taking an interest in its prosperity. The report re- commended that none should receive any benefit from the institution who had not contributed to its funds.— Times.
A Special Sessions of the Justices acting for the Strand Union was held on Thursday, for the purpose of hearing appeals against the Poor- rates. The only case of interest was that of the proprietors of Covent Garden Theatre. After the examination of a number of witnesses for and against the appeal, the assessment was reduced to 1,200/. per annum ; being a reduction of 1,610/. Some of the particulars elicited during the examination of the witnesses are curious. The gross amount of rent last year was 5,890/., and the rent which the proprietors had agreed to pay to the Duke of Bedford was 2,0831. The taxes amounted to 7911., and the salaries for collecting the rent to 250/. The watch and firemen cost 701., and repairs 37/. The theatre was not in. sured, as the lowest rate at which the insurance could be effected would be four guineas per cent., amounting to 6,000/, or more than the pro- prietors received. Mr. George Robins thought the landlord would be a lucky man if be could get 1,000/. a year fur the bare walls. As a Methodist chapel, he thought '2,0001. might be secured ; that being the more popular speculation. Mr. Robins, to show how theatrical pro- perty had become depreciated, stated that he had been endeavouring in vain to find a tenant for Mr. Brahasn's Theatre, the St. James, at 2,0001. a year. He remembered the time as-hen Drury Lane was let to Mr. Elliston for 11,2001. a year, while at present he did not believe it realized more than 1,0001. He thought the rent which Mr. Macready paid for Covent Garden (2,085/.):too much. He attributed the depreciation of theatrical property to the existence of seventeen theatres in London, when four would be sufficient. It was proved that 2,2021. had been paid last year for repairs of scenery, wardrobe, and decorations. The machinist and [decorator of the theatre estimated the value of the pro- perties under his charge at from 8,0001. to 10,0001. ; and the carpenter valued the rest of the heavy scenery at from 13,0001 to 20,0001 He said the ropes in the theatre were more than sufficient for a first-rate man-of-war, and they required to be renewed every day. The master of the wardrobe proved that the value of the wardrobe, the armoury, and the shoe department, was between 9,0001. and 10,0001. All the performers, male and female, with the exception of Mr. Macready, were supplied from the wardrobe of the theatre.
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