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Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 583, 17 March 1891, Page 2

It is strange how any man with plenty of " front ” can successfully travel through New Zealand. Mr Christie Murray v'as received, so to speak, with open arms in the colonies, and was allowed, without question, to constitute himself a critic on all things colonial. He did not hesitate to give very pronounced opinions on the subjects that came under his notice, and there was a strong flavor of high morality in all his public views. His later career in the colonies will probably dispel some of the delusions concerning the novelist. A Melbourne telegram of March 4

states : —“ Mr D. Christie Murray, who has been connected with the St. Maur Dramatic Company, was advertised to perform in Geelong on the 3rd of March in the Exhibition Hall in ‘Jim the Penman.’ He did not appear, although he was in Geelong, and next morning he published a letter stating that he was not aware till he arrived in Geelong that he was to appear ; that his consent had not been asked for or obtained ; and that a lawsuit was pending between the parties. When the company assembled for rehearsal Mr Murray appeared on the boards, and claiming that he had an interest in the company, endeavored to direct the members. A scene occurred between Messrs St. Maur and Murray, the latter being looked upon as a trespasser. Mr Murray, knowing that a warrant was issued against him, appeared on the stage at the evening performance for the purpose of bringing matters to a head. He was then arrested on a charge of trespass, and will appear at the Police Court to-morrow. He was admitted to bail. A dispute as to partnership accounts is said to be the cause of the unpleasantness.” A later telegram stated that the charge had been dismissed, but the facts connected with Mr Murray’s recent history go to strongly prove that his opinion as a critic is not worth having.