CONJURERS’ WORK.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 September 1921, Page 3

CONJURERS’ WORK.

jTor the first time on record, so far as is known, a conjuring trick was performed before a IJritish Parliainentay Committee last month. The committee was hearing evidence on the Bill under which it is reposed to prohibit the exhibition of pefforming animals. One of the witnesses was Mr Carl Hertz, whose entertainments have been seen several times in Hokitika in bygone years, Mr Hertz, who makes .rabblits. canaries, and similar small game appear and disappear at will, showed a canary ill a cage and distracting the attention of the committee for a moment, made canary, , race and'all vanish into space. He ilet ~lared that it was perfectly untrue that he killed the canary on each occasion and going behind a screen for a few seconds he produced it hack in the cage and seemingly as cheerful as ever. Mr James the famous circus ])ioprietor said the charges of cruelty which had been made would not stand against anv responsible trainer. If the aiiiiu.il turns were taken out the circus business would be killed completely, for nearly all the other turns and clowning were mcrelv padding between such things as the performing sea lions which was what the people really came to see. II a trainer ill-treated a lion it would get even with him. even if it did not see him again for years. An elephant had bfen performing with the Sangar Circus for sixty years but had not been killed --- -"-•ft. Future generations if deprived if the amusement of the circus. Mr Sangar finally declared would regard it as an infringement of their liberties. "Whether or not the British f’arliament will incline to this view has yet to he seen.