Wirth's Circus and Zoo.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 33, 9 February 1904, Page 4

Wirth's Circus and Zoo.

This huge combination, after finishing the present season in Auckland, will commence air extended lour of New Zealand, in which New Plymouth will be visited on Thursday next. Of the Auckland ojxaving the Star speaks thus :—lt has been ■said cynically that all circuses are the same circus, but Messrs Wlrth certainly belong to the better order of circus proprietors, uiwl their show on this occasion is far from wearisome. One is inclined to think the programme unnecessarily loaded, there being no less than 27 acts, 'hut the performance ended lief,ire eleven o'clock, and the sequence was so quick that one had scarcely time to get tirciS. The great grievance tho critie usually has to ipreier against aivciiage circuses' the unvarying sameness of the different acts—is in a large measure anient, and one can confidently recommend the two newest acts—Heir Pagel's and the Cherokee Kid's—as well us the peiforuia,nce of the Howard Brothers, These are distinctly good, and would murk the advent of a circus as a thing of moment anywhere. The newest idea put forward by the management amongst tho animals is something "unique in animal training-," to wit. the iK-rlVu/m'ancc in tho same cage of a lion, a ilog, a pony, and a goat, the whole ultimately lyI ing down together quite peacefully—under the eye and wliip of their brilliantly successful trainer, SI. Jean ttogalle. He startled the spectatoes into a mighty thrill when he seized the lion by its feet ami walked aoijolatbe ring with it coifed about his neck. Tho performance of the tigers in the chariot and the rest of their tricks we haw seen Uefore, hut custom does not dull the interest in them. The other acts are much the saint as before, save that they ure all distinctly better.