AFTER EIGHT YEARS

Hokitika Guardian, 9 December 1931, Page 6

AFTER EIGHT YEARS

MR GEORGE PETERSEN. PREPARING FOR WURTH’S CIRCUS Worth’s Circus will show in Hokitika again soon after an absence of eight years. Air G. L. Petersen, advance manager for Worth’s, is now in Hokitika making arrangements for the opening of tile season here on December 21, one night only. Mr Petersen, who has been with Worth’s Circus for 33 years, has just come from Australia where, since it left New Zealand two' wars ago, the circus lias been performing' regularly in all States. Now it comes back to New" Zealand with an entirely new' programme, and with its collection of performing animals augmented. There are the Uessens, a troupe of head and hand balancers, the Silvester Troupe reiiow T ned for its acrobatic feats, nine performing elephants, and 40 horses, to mention but a few of the attractions.

“Circuses continue to draw large audiences everywhere,” said Mr Petersen. “That is probably due to the fact that since they come to town only once in every two or three years, there is always a rising generation that hasn’t seen performing afiimals.

Commenting on the position in Australia to-day, Mr Petersen ’said /that the prospect of bumper wool and grain crops was excellent. Many States had experienced more rain this winter and spring than for years, and this—provided normal weather was experienced from now' on—-would doubtless’ result in largely increased production. ;

In the towns, said Mr Petersen, -lie found a distinctly optimistic note. Everyone -was looking forward to better times, and he considered that provided Australia kept clear of industrial troubles these would come in the near future.

In the field of entertainment lie noted that in Sydney an c [ other large towns the “talkies” were not getting the support they did a little while hack. Packed houses, however, were greeting the Gilbert and Sullivan company which, lie understood, would visit New Zealand at the end of this year. Just before leaving Australia' he saw “How Husbands Go,” a comedy with Miss Ethel Morrison, the new' Zealand actress, and Miss Iris Derbyshire, in the principal roles. This comedy, lie considered one of the best produced in recent years. It was coming to the Dominion, he understood. ‘’Weather conditions have favoured the farmer, and everywhere Australians are looking forward confidently to the future,” lie said. “In Western Aus-. tra-lia there are many signs of progress, and in South Australia, too, there are

signs of returning prosperity. New Zealanders also can be confident. There has been a temporary setback that is all, and the Dominion has not had the difficulties Australia has had to face. Everywhere people are brighter because they know the future is sure. This' is the time'for optimism, because optimism is justified.”