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

lAMB.

DRU.RY-LANE THEAT &E.-MEETING OF

PROPRIETORS.

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 Bathe, Capt. Parnther, Capt. Thompson, Mr.
Waring, Mr. Arden, Mr. E. T. Smith, Mr. M.
Sharpe, &c.

,
M. FLADGATE, the secretary, read the report from
the committee, whichincluded the annual 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. 11s. 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
boon 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. The dis-
puted account for the works in connexion with the
additional precautions taken in 1856 for the pre-
vention of tire had I)een reduced by arbitration
from 6301. ss. 3d. to 4741. lls. 6d. If the works
were completed as required by the covenants of the
lease, the building, both externally and internally,
would be in a satisfactory state of repair.
On the motion of Mr. WARING, seconded by Cap
taro 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
Teuterden, 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 be
thought they had not done their duty inleasing
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, Hay market, 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 fevr
men would have ventured to open it. Moreover,
the gentleman was out of order, as his lease wag
not out for' wo years, and the question of terms
• could not, therefore, be discussed. As far as be
was personally concerned, he did not care 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 saute ground as gr.

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 agiin, and not a living
soul came near it. The size of the theatre, whie.ll
had been put forward as an advantage, was a maw'
fest disadvantage, inasmuch as no manager would
care to be encumbered with so large a theatre.
The Earl of GLENGALL bore testimony to the fact
that no advertisement had produced a single lessee'
On the motion of Mr. ARDEN, seconded by Mr'
CRA.WTTER, the re-election of the retiring committee
men was agreed to after some discussion.
The auditors having been elected with thank°
for their past services,
A vote of thanks to Mr. E. T. Smith, the lessee,
for the satisfactory manner in which he had COn'
ducted the matter, was then proposed,
The CHAIRMAN bore testimoney to the value ,°,l
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
the public in providing for their amusement, more
at heart than he had his own private interests.
The motion having been carried with acelaate
fiend
dr. E. T. SMITH, in returning thanks, said 11°
trusted he might be excused for stating that during
the past three mouths he had expended I,BoU.'a
over the theatre, independently of having 1231
4,000/. a year's rent.
The usual compliment was paid to the chairraav,
and the meeting separated.