Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1877-05-26 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

MIDDLESBROUGH.  Whit Mondav was, according to custom, observed as a general holiday in Middlesbrough. The various places of business were closed, and holiday folk turned out in large numbers. The trains arriving on Saturday evening brought loads of Visitors to spend the festive season amongst their friends and relatives. Though we are within a month of Midsummer Day, yet the north-east winds are in no hurry to leave us. On Monday the sky was entirely overcast the whole of the day; the weather was cold, and of a most unseasonable nature. Rain, however, kept off, and pleasure. seekers were in consequence saved from extreme unpleasantness in their out-door wanderings. By the kindness of H. W. F. Bolckow, Esq. the member for the borough, the beautiful grounds of Marton Hall were thrown open,. and a gala was held, the receipts to be devoted to the building fund of 'all Saints' Church, Middlesbrough, which edifice has been long standing in an unfinished state owing to the want of money to complete the work. In the fore part of the day the gala was not largely patronised, but in the afternoon, at a time when the price of admission to the grounds was reduced to sixpence, there was a largo number of visitors on the grounds. The principal attraction was the presence, by the permission of Colonel Freyer and officers, of the excellent band of the Sixth Dragoon Guards (the Carabineers), which, under the direction of Mr 11. McElenev, went through a programme, in three parts, of popular music. Another entertaining feature connected with the gala was a 3oncert of music by a number of voices from the United Church Choirs of Middlesbrough. The concert was under the direction of Mr T. J. Taylor, organist of St. Hilda's Church, and Mr C. Bradley, organist of St. Paul's. "Hail! Smiling Morn," and other glees were given. By means of railway passenger accommodation and the runuiug of omnibuses, a good number of persons were able to reach the gala, but, principally owing to the threatening aspect of the weather, tLe gala was not so successful as tho one held on Whit Monday of last year. An ample supply of refreshments was provided in a, marquee on the grounds, so that a much needed want on such an occasion was gratified. At the Cricket Field, Linthorpe-road, the annual two days' gala was opened on Monday, and was well attended. The cricketers' band was in attendance, and played a variety of popular and entertaining music. Various kinds of sports were indulged in. The cold weather had no doubt, the effect of keeping many visitors from the field. Several c.,--eursiens by rail and steamer took place in the morning, and pleasure-seekers availed themselves rather largely of the opportunity thus offered forts day's  . - On Monday evening the various places of amusement at Middlesbrough were largely attended. At the Theatre Royal there was a crowded house. The boards are still occupied by Frederick Wright's celebrated " Quarter of a Million" Company. The performance commenced with a new four-act drama, entitled "£20,000 a Year," which proved to be one of a very entertaining charact3r. Mr W. Frederick appeared as "Gage Mortimer, Master of Mortimer Castle, and heir to £20,000 a Year." The first act opens with rather a vivid love scone, in which an element if caste appears to be prominent. Gage has a guardian and steward named Fairlie (Mr Frederick Harland), who is favoured with& daughter, Claire of whom he may well be proud (Miss Ada Neilson). Gage makes overturs of affection to the young lady, who, from conscientious scruples repeatedly refuses his snit, as she feels it is impossible to make an alliance with a man whom she cannot honour, respect, and esteem, however she may love him. Gage has long been encircled by a ring of noblemen gamblers, who are draining his resources, whilst Ito is unconsciously becoming their dupe. Claire points this oat repeatedly, but he fails to see his error. Perhaps the most prominent of these fashionable swindlers is Fairlie himself. The plot of the drama is further worked out, and in one of the scenes Claire comes face to face with Mortimer and his followers, and denounces the latter as , swindlers. Presently we find that the rightful swner of the Mortimer estates h Ls been ruined and is penuyless. " Milly Peel, an adventuress." (Miss Susan Seddon) appears on thq scene, and by a felonious act becomes possessed of an original will. Having Fairlie in her power, she compels him to marry her and promii.e her the title of lady of the MorLitnel. c,itatts. Cage Mortimer, finding himself ruined by gamblers, becomes dependent upon them for assistance, and asks for the loan of £5OO from those to whom lie has given all, in order to meet a pressing engagement. By each of the professional scoundrels he is refused in turn, and, as may be imagined, his ultimate resolve is to throw off their authority awl denounce them. Presently Gage is found face to fate with his stcward, who claims to be the rightful owner of Mortinier estates, and being overcome by ciretunstances and lacking Ix oral courage, he attempts. suicide, but the fair Claire interferes and prevents the act. Then, again, we find the brave girl offering marriage to Gage in order to retrieve his misfortune, and love ultimately unites them. By au ingenious contrivance, however, Gage first gains a victory over the ring of damblcrs by inspiring them with terror. Valuing their precious lives at a high price, they do not care to risk being blown up along with the Castle by gunpowder, Gage informing them that the place is undermined, and he has but to shout "traitor," and tkatructiontould be upou them. One by ono he so terrified is evil associates that they gladly give up all the documents of which .they had become unlawfully pos.ies:ied, entitling them to properties in the Mortimer es:Ate, al ultimately Gri,;e is found woe more in possession