MR. KELLAR AT McFARLANE’S HALL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1239, 4 January 1883, Page 2

MR. KELLAR AT McFARLANE’S HALL.

This world-renowned illusionist attracted a large number of spectators last night, who, in addition to being delighted, were thoroughly astounded at the ease and cleverness with which the several exhibitions of diablerie were executed. Wonderful things have been accomplished from time to time by conjurors and jugglers of all sorts and nationalities, and none more astounding than the feats executed by Mr Kellar, who proves himself to be a Heller, Houdin, and Anderson rolled into one. s What with legerdemain, necromancy, and other illusions the assemblage

was kept throughout the eveningjin a state of pleased surprise, No one who has seen Mr Kellar can for a moment deny Ms skill, and the way in which the eye is baffled by the dexterity of his fingers is most bewildering. The tricks are far removed from the ordinary run of prestidigitation, and anything more refined and artistic could scarcely be witnessed in any part of the world. We hope that before Mr Kellar leaves Gisborne he will exhibit his wonderful birdcage trick, which has been described to us as being simply marvellous, If we remember rightly some years ago in Melbourne Mr Kellar was about to be prosecuted for cruelty to a canary which he would show in a cage before the spectators at his performance. Suddenly the bird and its prison-house would vanish. Mr Kellar, however, before the magistrates, justices of the peace, and several leading citteens, gave a private entertainment in order to show that the triek occasioned no injury whatever to the bird. The canary was marked in private and placed in the cage. The illusionist suddenly caused both bird and eage to disappear in the usual manner, but in a few eeconds produced the little songster unharmed. This practical illustration so satisfied the magnates of the city, that the prosecution was immediately discontinued.

To-night a number of new and original tricks will be performed, and a complete exposure of the “dark seance" and “the Katie King Mystery” made. We would recommend our readers to peruse the now advertisement.