The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1869-02-27 00:00:00

MR. SIMS REEVES AND HIS PUBLIC
ENGAGEMENTS.

At the Cheltenham County-court an action has been
tried in which the plaintiff wan N r. Hodson, lessee of
the Gloucester and Cheltenham Theatres, and the de-
fendant Mr. Harrison, agent of Mr. Sims Reeves, the
claim being for damages for the min-appearance of Mr.
Reeves at a concert given at Cheltenham, at which he
had been engaged to sing.
When the case was called on the following certificate
was handed to the judge:
1.07, Laneaster-gate. yde-park. W.
.1 certify that Mr. Sims Reeves is suffering from a severe
cold and ulcerated throat, which have prevented him front
singing in Scotland last week, and will prevent him singing
I for at least a week to come. I also certify that Mr. Reeves
Is confined to his house, and that it would be biddy danger-
ous for him to leave it. "CHAS. 1). PHILLIPS, M.l).
" Veb. 18, 1869."
The Judge refused to notice the certificate, and said
he considered Mr. Reeves absent without leave or
excuse.
Mr. Cough said: We have had the greatest difficulty
in serving Mr. Reeves, anti when at last we did serve
him, he took up the subisena, and said he would not
attend. Mi. Gough than read the correspondence re-
lating to the engagement.
Mr. Itodoon, Mr. and Miss Onley, and others, were
then called to prove the contract with Mr. Harrison.
Mr. Gilley gave an estimate showing that the amount
claimed (1,26 175.) 1111.4 a reduction of £3 175., was that
which would have accrued to Mr. Hodson as profit had
the concert taken place. When the case for the
plaintiff was concluded, the judge decided that as Mr.
Sims Reeves might have been a material witness, and
had no right to have disobeyed thecourt, he mustbe fined
the maximum amount of £lO.
Mr. Bens, it, of Bristol, who appeared for defendan
then submitted to the judge that those was no
dence of contract with Mr. Haruison, and that th
latter WAS only interested in the transaction to th
extent of getting his 5 per cent.
The Judge reserved that point.
Mr. 'Benson then called Mr. Harrison, who isa
pianoforte dealer, of Clifton, who explained the nature
of his contract with Mr. Reeves, and evidence watt
alt, given as to an affection of the throat, which
ace inhted for the latter gentleman's u,n•perfornimi
at the coneert.
The judge held that there was a contract, and put
points to the jury thus--" Was Mr. Reeves able or
unable to sing at the concert ? Dicl Mr. Harrison do
all in his power to induce him to sing ? "
The jury did not answer these questions seriatim,
but found for the plaintiff for the full amount, £7.3.
The verdict was applauded by the audience.

The following letter has been published on the above
ease : . .

As agent for Mr. Reeves, and defendant in the above
action, allow me to correct one or two errors which appear
in the paragraph in The Times ,d Monday. le the first
place, Mr. Reeves was not engaged toning. "as he gave the
concert himself: consequently the statement that Mr.
Reeves and purty were engaged to slug for 100 guineas is
totally wrong. The concert was announced by Sims Reeves,
and given by him and no one else. Again, the statement
that Mr. Reeves tore up the subpiena and said he would not
appear is also perfectly untrue. Mr. Reeves tore up a third
subpoma which was served on him, being greatly annoyed
by being to worried, he having al, idy bad two served on
him. As far as the case now stands, the present decision
will not settle the matter, as a new trial will be moved for.
am, Sir, yours obediently
Clifton, Feb. 23. lfaiWAnn 11AnnISoN.