234 ON AND OFF THE TURF. 



Mr. and Mrs. Lohr (Miss Bisliop) resided next to 

 me at Sydney at one time. During their absence 

 they let the house to Mr. William Elton and his 

 family. He was engaged at that time with the Royal 

 Comic Opera Company. One morning the famous 

 comedian sent to my house to borrow a hammer, 

 and shortly after I heard a terrific row at the back 

 of the house. On looking out of the window I saw 

 Mr. Elton working vigorously in battering a kerosine 

 tin, which gradually assumed the shape of armour. 

 I fancy he was making a suit of shining armour 

 either for the Duke of Plasa Toro in the '^ Gondoliers '' 

 or for his famous character in the " Old Guard.'* 

 Mr. Elton is an immense favourite. When he left 

 the company Mr. Charles Lauri took his place and 

 speedily became popular. 



Mr. Tapley married Miss Yiolet Varley, a member 

 of the company, and I was sorry to hear of this 

 clever little lady's death in Melbourne. Miss Varley 

 had a bright future before her, and her premature 

 end will be much regretted. This opera company 

 has received several recruits from Pollard's Juvenile 

 Opera Troupe, a clever combination of youngsters. 

 Miss Varley and Miss Flora Graupner, were both 

 members of the Pollard's, and Miss May Pollard was 

 in the Royal Comic Opera Company when I left. 



I once attended a rehearsal on the stage of the 

 Princess's Theatre, Melbourne, of the Pollard juve- 



