Category: Robert Heir

Dunedin Tribute (March 1868)

Otago Witness, Issue 851, 21 March 1868, Page 14

THE THEATRE
(From the Daily Times, March 13 1868 )

The attendance at the Princess Theatre last evening was proof of the propriety and the generosity of the offer made by the members of the company, when they tendered their services for a complimentary benefit to Mrs Robert Heir. The spirit which prompted that offer, and the offer by the proprietor of the use of the ‘house’ on the occasion, could scarcely fail to excite among the people of Dunedin an appreciative sympathy, and of this sympathy there was, last evening, abundant indication in the crowded state of the house, and in the demeanour of all present. Had the capacity of the Princess Theatre been double what it is, the space would, no doubt, have been fully occupied. As it was, the house has not for a length of time presented such an appearance as it did last night, and it was not alone in that circumstance that proof was given of the public sympathy with Mrs Heir in her domestic bereavement, and of admiration of those abilities which she has for a number of years exhibited as a leading actress on the Colonial stage. In the respectful and tender reception given to Mrs Heir, in the profusion of bouquets with which she was presented, and in the warm applause of her acting, there were additional expressions of the feelings which prompted the attendance, and of the feelings which were inevitably induced, before the conclusion of the performance, among those to whom except by reputation, her powers as an actress were unknown.

With a somewhat suggestive appropriateness, the play selected for the occasion was that of “Leah, the Forsaken.” The play is one in which the best actresses who have visited Dunedin have appeared, and have intensely impressed their audiences; but there are characteristics about the acting of Mrs Heir, in the part of Leah, which justify the assertion that by none of her predecessors has she been excelled. Her performance of that character last evening was unquestionably, of itself, the best dramatic representation witnessed in Dunedin for many days, and it could not but excite the hope that circumstances may arise to induce the return of Mrs Heir to this colony at another and a more auspicious time. The success of the play as a whole, was promoted by the presence of Mr and Mrs Hall among the company, and by the fact of all the members of the company not merely tendering their services, but rendering these services most effectively. Mr Roberts played the part of Rudolph carefully, and with taste, and Mrs J. L. Hall, as Anna, sustained her part pleasingly. Mr Sefton was Nathan, and he certainly did not convey other than the common impression that Nathan is an ill-favored character. In the representation of the play there were evidences of due attention having been given to rehearsal by all, perhaps, but the practitioner with the lime light at the wings. If such an accessory to the effectiveness of the scenes is to be employed, steadiness of hand on the part of the operator is at least worthy of cultivation. After the conclusion of the play, Miss Harriett Gordon contributed her share of the entertainment, by singing very exquisitely, the songs “Lo, hear the Gentle Lark,” and “Auld Robin Gray.” The performances were concluded at a rather advanced hour, with the farce “H. M.S Spitfire.” In the interval, after Miss Gordon had sung, Mrs Heir came upon the stage, and spoke the following address, which had been written for the occasion by Mr B. L. Farjeon, of Dunedin: —
When first I saw Dunedin’s lovely bay,
The clouds for me were dark. Though bright the day,
Scarce could I look upon the verdant isles.
Whose moss crowned tops received fair Nature’s smiles.
And there imprisoned them. My heart was filled
With grief — with grief by that High Power willed,
Who wills our fates, and in whose hands we are
Less than the glimmer of a lonely star.
But when I set my foot upon the land,
And felt the pressure of each friendly hand
Held out to me in sympathy, I knew
That friends surrounded me — and then there grew
A wish to see and thank them for the love
Which brought indeed — as the Heaven-sent dove
Brought peace and gladness to the storm-tossed ark —
Some gleams of sunshine to my troubled bark.
Dear friends, I thank you — thank you from my heart.
And those kind comrades who have taken part
In this night’s task. Unselfishly they came,
Showing good-will in something more than name.
To-night contains for me remembrance sweet —
May time fly swiftly till again we meet!

Death of Robert Heir

Evening Post, Volume IV, Issue 17, 4 March 1868, Page 2

The steamer Auckland brings dates from Melbourne to the 27th February. Mr. Robert Heir, actor, died on the passage, and was buried at the Bluff to-day.

Southland Times , Issue 910, 4 March 1868, Page 2

It is with regret that we have to record the sudden death of Mr Robert Heir, which occurred on board the s.s. Auckland, during her trip from Melbourne to the Bluff. Mr Heir has for many years, in Australia, maintained the high character of being an accomplished and leading dramatic artist. On the steamer’s arrival at the Bluff, his remains were brought ashore, and interred in the usual burying place there.

North Otago Times, Volume X, Issue 291, 6 March 1868, Page 2

We are sorry to learn from our contemporary the “Daily Times” that Mr Robert Heir, of whose expected arrival in this Colony we informed our readers in last issue, was never destined to reach New Zealand, having died on board the steamer Auckland during the passage. His body on the arrival of the steamer at the Bluff, was interred in the old cemetery there. The following further particulars are from the same journal: — “Mrs Heir whose name has been intimately associated with that of Mr Heir as a public favorite, has, along with Mr Bennett, come on to Dunedin. It was only on the evening previous to the departure of the Auckland, that both she and Mr Heir took their leave of the people of Melbourne, and of that leave-taking the ‘Argus ‘ says : — ‘Special performances were given at this theatre last evening, for the benefit of Mr and Mrs Robert Heir, two old public favorites, who on this occasion bade farewell to Australia on the scene of their former triumphs. Mr and Mrs Heir have held a leading position on the theatrical boards of this Colony for a long series of years, and their names must always be intimately associated with the dramatic history of Victoria. It was to be expected that they who had contributed so much to the enjoyment of others, would not be permitted to leave for distant lands without some substantial mark of recognition being offered them for valued services in the cause of public entertainment, and a complimentary benefit was accordingly arranged, in which many of the principal actors now in Victoria took part. The play selected was “As You Like It,” and the “beneficiaires ” were gratified by the presence of an extremely good house. Mr Heir played Jaques very effectively, and the mere mention of Mrs Heir’s Rosalind was sufficient to call up a host of pleasant recollections, which were not dissipated by the performance. As the play proceeded, the presence of very warm admirers was frequently attested, and on the fall of the curtain there was a unanimous call for Mr and Mrs Heir. After a brief interval, Mrs Heir responded to the call, and spoke with much feeling a farewell address written by Dr Neild.” The address, adds the “Argus,” was heartily applauded ;”but none present could have contemplated that the repeated expressions it contained, as to the audience and actors being met to bid “good-bye for ever,” was so thoroughly prophetic, and to be so early realised.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2643, 10 March 1868, Page 3

The following testimonial has been presented to Captain H. Harris, R.N.R., of the ss. Auckland, by the passengers, on his arrival here from Melbourne :— “P.N.Z. & A.R.M. Co’s ss. Auckland, 2nd March, 186S, off the Bluff. To Captain H. Harris, R.N.R., s.s. Auckland. Sir,— We the undersigned saloon passengers cannot part from you without expressing our appreciation of your kindness and attention to our late much lamented fellow-passenger, Mr Robert Heir, during his very trying illness on board your ship; and the efforts of yourself and your officers to alleviate as far as possible his sufferings, afforded us the greatest gratification under the painful circumstances. We would particularly notice the indefatigable exertions of your chief officer, Mr Banks, and of Mr Dryden, the chief steward. With our best wishes for your prosperity and happiness, — We are, &c — Mrs William Heffernan, Mrs Eliza Ankers, Jane Bracher, Annie Hall, A. Radach. B Keyes, Edith Williamson, E. Elizabeth Ryan, and thirteen others.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2643, 10 March 1868, Page 3

Death of Mr Heir. — The following particulars relating to the death of Mr Heir, the well-known actor, during his passage from Melbourne to New Zealand possess a melancholy interest:— Accompanied by Mrs Heir and Mr Bennett, Mr Heir left Melbourne by the Auckland, on the evening of Tuesday, the 25th ultimo, and he was apparently in his usual health until Thursday. On that morning, while conversing with Mr Bennett, he suddenly jumped up as if seized with pain and falling foreword on to his face he bled somewhat profusely from the nose. From that time, he had occassional returns of unconsciousness, and occasional convulsion, until Saturday, when he died at half-past nine o’clock. There was no medical man on board the steamer but every attention was paid to Mr Heir, during the short interval of his illness, by Mr Bennett, by Capt. Harris, and by others on board. It was soon feared that this illness was beyond human remedy; but everything was done that could be done to alleviate his sufferings. This was sufficiently recognised by the passengers who, in an address to Mr Bennett express their approbation of his unremitting attention and kindness displayed towards the lamented deceased, and their conviction that every exertion was used to diminish his sufferings and to preserve his life. In a similar manner the passengers express themselves towards Capt. Harris, the chief officer Mr Banks, and the chief steward, Mr Dryden. Mr Heir was a comparatively young man, not being more than 36 years of age, but he had been well and widely known in the Australian colonies since 1855, when he arrived at Melbourne in company with the late Mr G. V. Brooke. His body was, on the arrival of the steamer at the Bluff interred in the old cemetery there. Mrs Heir, whose name has been intimately associated with that of Mr Heir as a public favorite, has, along with Mr Bennett, come on to Dunedin. It was only on the evening previous to the departure of the Auckland, that both she and Mr Heir took their leave of the people of Melbourne, and of that leave-taking the Argus says : — ” Special performances were giving at this theatre last evening for the benefit of Mr and Mrs Robert Heir, two old public favorites, who on this occasion bade farewell to Australia on the scene of their former triumphs. Mr and Mrs Heir have held a leading position on the theatrical boards of this colony for a long series of years, and their names must always be intimately associated with the dramatic history of Victoria. It was to be expected that they who had contributed so much to the enjoyment of others, would not be permitted to leave for distant lands without some substantial mark of recognition being offered them for valued services in the cause of public entertainment, and a complimentary benefit was accordingly arranged, in which many of the principal actors now in Victoria took part. The play selected was ” As You like It” and the beneficiaries were gratified by the presence of an extremely good house. Mr Heir played Jaques very effectively, and the mere mention of Mrs Heir’s Rosalind was sufficient to call up a host of pleasant recollections, which was not dissipated by the performance. As the play proceeded, the presence of very warm admirers was frequently attested, and on the fall of the curtain there was a unanimous call for Mr and Mrs Heir. After a brief interval Mrs Heir responded to the call and spoke with much feeling a farewell address written by Dr Neild. The address adds the Argus, was “heartily applauded”; but none present could have contemplated that the repeated expressions it contained, as to the audience and actors being met to bid “good-by for ever,” were so thoroughly prophetic, and to be so early realised.