COLE’S CIRCUS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2420, 18 December 1880, Page 2

COLE’S CIRCUS.

Cole’s circus arrived per special train from Ashburton at 6.30 a.m. this morning. The train was composed of 16 trucks, each bearing a caravan, and two passenger carriages conveying the human portion of the big show. A large crowd assembled at the railway station in spite of the earliness of the hour, to witness the arrival of the train and criticise the horses and camels, which were landed at the platform, the wild beasts proceeding further down

the line to the crossing by Bruce’s mill, where the vans containing the lions, tigers, &c., &c.. were set down. The hands then commenced to make preparations for the erection of the tents on the ground formerly occupied by Chiarini’s circus, and in a tew hours the preparations were all comnlete for the mid-day performance, I lie .whole of the operations connected " ifh the arrival of the show, the landing of the vans, and the erection of the giant tents, were performed in a quiet, orderly, business-like fashion, without fuss or of any kind. From 200 to 250 people had assembled on tl o reserve and by the long train before 6.30 a.m.

Between 2000 and 3000 persons assembled to witness the afternoon performance. The dross circle was well patronised, and the other portions of the lingo tent were fairly filled. A long, in' iting, and varied programme was produced, which our time and space will not enable us to do more than summarise. One of the special features of the circus is the performances of the cattle. Elephants, dromedaries, horses and pomes went through a variety of feats suggestive of much training and singular docility. The spectacular etfect of the grand entree in which the strength of the company appeared in splendid costumes was very line. The pci forming elephants went through some astounding gymnastics ; the air w'as made lively by Hying Americans ; a couple of trick horses showed the secrets of relined posturing ; Mr Cook leaped through hoops and danced on his barebacked steeds as.if totally regardless of Ids neck ; clown Mclntyre kept the audience in roars; Livingstone and Dunbar (low' as if on wings from perch to perch ; clowm Murtz showed the ludicrous side of the acrobat business : Pico revelled in pantomimic display ; Mdle Adelaide exhibited some exceedingly elerer and graceful equestrianism ; Miss Tonour excelled as a trapezist; Miss L* Joal rode through the flames like a Balaklava hero; Yanzant converted a horse’s back into a drawingroom ; Stevens worked with his feet and hands so dexterously as to set the laws of gravity at defiance ; the trained stallions walking erect on their hind legs, imitating the human form divine ; D’Dale took the shine out of colonial cabmen, and Bryan w r as at home among the ponies just as Conkling was among the lions. The menagerie is a very fine one, and we would advise all who desire to see all the wonders of creation to visit the circus this evening.