The Sun.
London, England, 1858-01-29 00:00:00

'AYS.

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.-MEETING OF

PROPRIATOBS.

Yesterday afternoon a general assembly of the
proprietors in the above company was held in the
saloon of the theatre, for the purpose of receiving
the report, and to elect officers. Mr. B. B. Cabbell
was called to the chair. Amongst those present were
the Earl of Glengall, Lord Wm. Lennox, Sir Wm.
de Bat be, Capt. Parnther, Capt. Thompson, Mr.
Waring, Mr. Arden, Mr. E. T. Smith, Mr. M.
Sharpe, tkc.

FLADGATE, the secretary, read the report from
the committee, which included the aunual statement
of accounts and report of the architect. The report
stated the architect has reported the state of the
building and the progress of the lessee in the per-
formance of his covenants to repair and decorate the
theatre. The committee directed that a specifica-
tion of the works to be done in accordance with
these covenants should be prepared by the architect.
Differences of opinion having arisen in regard to the
specification, the adjustment of them by arbitration
has been agreed upon by the committee and Mr.
Smith. The committee cannot but refer to the
satisfactory settlements of the claim of the engi-
neer for works executed in the year 1856, as re-
ported by the architect. The accounts have been
audited by Mr. Savory and Mr. Crombie. The
receipts, added to the balance of 3011. 10s. 9d. from
the previous year, amount to 4,7261. 2s. 9d., and
the payments to 4,5081. lls. 2d., leaving a balance
of 2171. lls. 7d. available for the external repairs
immediately necessary. The receipts comprised the
sum of 4,0001. from the lessee for the 12 months'
rent. Of the payments four had been made quar-
terly to the Duke of Bedford on account of the
arrears of rent. The four quarters' rates and taxes,
together with the ordinary current expenses of the
year and all tradesmen's bills, have been paid up
to Christmas last. In addition to which the sum
of 9001. has been paid to the trustees of the new
renters. The committee conclude their report by
adverting with 'satisfaction to the improved condi-
tion of the property, and the successful commence-
ment of the present season. The report of the
architect stated that the interior of the theatre had
been repaired and decorated by the lessee. As
there is a portion of the works uncompleted, he
was at present unable to report that the covenants
of the lease had been fully complied with. Thedis-
puted account for the works in connexion with the
additional precautions taken in 1856 for the pre-
vention of tire had been reduced by arbitration
from 6301. ss. 3d. to 4741. Us. 6d. If the works
were completed as required by the coven ants of the
lease; the building, both externally aixd internally,
would be in a satisfactory state of repair.
On the motion of Mr. WAKING, seconded by Cap-
tain PARNTHER, the report was confirmed.
The CHAIRMAN then announced that the follow-
ing noblemen and gentlemen retired from the com-
mittee, viz. :—The Earl of Westmoreland, Lord
Tente;den, Sir H. Webb, Mr. R. Harrabine, Mr.
Waring, and. Mr. Rawlinson.
The Clerk stated that these noblemen and gentle-
men were eligible for re-election.
Mr. MARCUS SHARPE suggested there should be
a new infusion of blood on the committee, as he
thought they had not done their duty in leasing
the theatre to Mr. E. T. Smith at the low rental of
4,0001. a-year. The rentals paid by the lessees of
the Lyceum, Haymarket, and Princess's Theatres
were much larger in proportion to that paid for
Drury-lane Theatre.
Mr. E. T. SMITH explained, that when he took
the theatre it was in such a dreadful state that few
men would have ventured to open it. Moreover,
the gentleman was out of order, as his lease was
not out for two years, and the question of terms
could not, therefore, be discussed. As far as he
was personally concerned, he did not oare two
straws whether or not he obtained a renewal of the
lease.
Lord W. LENNOX deprecated the discussion upon
the question of rent, upon the same ground as Mr.
Smith.
Sir W. DE BATHE defended the committee, and
said they had done everything in their power. Be-
fore Mr. Smith took the theatre they had adver-
tised for a lessee again and again, and not a living
nehad as advantage,
n nota le manager
a was
ier a man i-
fc would
' soul came near it. The size of the theatre, which
had been put forwairnda: an
ered with so large a theatre.
The E eLb'Estisarai bore testimony to the fact
easrtedtio s a
bdaevrelannoctfaaGnag
that no advertisement had produced a single lessee.
On the motion of Mr.
A.RDEN, seconded by Mr.
CRAWTTER, the re-election of the retiring committee
men was agreed to after some discussion.
The auditors having been elected with thanks
for their past services,
A vote of thanks to Mr. E. T. Smith, the lessee,
for the satisfactory manner in which he had cow
ducted the matter, was then proposed,
The CHAIRMAN bore testimoney to the value of
Mr. Smith's character, and said that there could
be but one opinion, and that was, that Mr. Smith,
in managing Drury-lane Theatre, had the wishes of
the public in providing for their amusement, more
at heart than he had his own private interests._
b„„„ WILLI acciauwe
tiok,
_ _

Mr. E. T. SMITE, in returning thanks, said he
trusted he might be excused for stating that during
the past three mouths he had expended 1,8001;
over the theatre, independently of having pi('
4,0001. a year's rent.
The usual compliment was paid to the chairmaili
and the meeting separated.