AMUSEMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 282, 23 November 1908, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

j THE KILTIES. A good deal of interest -las been .aroused in itlie forthcoming visit tjq New Plymouth of the Kilties Band, and already, nearly a fortnight ahead of the date of the appearance, the booking has commenced, und from as far distant as Eltham, The Elthani Brass Band has already notified its intention of taking part in the parade through the town prior to the official reception and matinee 011 the Recreation Sports Ground at 3 p.m. It is almost certain that the Stratford Municipal Baud will also participate in. the function, which will be under the direction of the Taranaki Garrison Band. The procession, with three brass bands heading the Kilties, should of itself be an imposing spectacle. Special trains have been arranged for, and probably there will also be a late train from town at the conclusion of the theatre performance, in addition to delayed trains after the matinee. Musical critics in Auckland declare that the Kilties stand in a class of themselves, and have been even more attractive than the" Besses. The latter, however, being purely a brass band, can scarcely be compared with a military band i'ke tire Kilties which includes rceil instruments in their complement. The Kilties Band of Canada, the greatest Scottish band in Die world, and me pride of all Canada, is a permanent ' touring organisation, and has been touring constantly for the past seven years, travelling 250,(Ki1l miles in Canada, United States. England, lrela|nd, Scotland, Wales, and Australia. The Kilties two weeks' engagement at the World's Fair, St. Louis, U.S.A., was a great success. They were the only Canadian band honored with such an engagement. The opening of the :eason of 1904-5 found the Kilties in London, the organisation haling been booked for its initial European tour. The musical visitors from over the sea had scarcely started their London season at the Royal Albert Hall when thev received a command from the King to appear at Balmoral Castle, and the bands llying trip to the Highlands of Scotland, and their successful peiiomianee before his Majesty, furnished one of the leading topics of newspaper comment during the week of September 2(i. King' Edward expressed himself as delighted with the Kilties, and honored their commander with tire Victorian medal. On their return to London the Sfotcli-Canadians met with an ovation, and their tour of Great Britain began with a series of triumphs, the band being dubbed by the newspapers "The Conquering Kilties.'' On Wednesday, November (I the Kilties were again commanded by his Majesty (lie King to appear at Saiidringhani in honor of his Majesty's sixty-third birthday. The King again honored the Kilties by presenting the bandmaster with an elegant baton, surmounted by a miniature crown, with '"E.R." set in rubies and diamonds. O'NEILL'S BI'C'KJUMPERS. On Wednesday evening next Nnv , Plymouth is to be visited by Mr. ( Ernie O'Neill's famous troupe of out- . laws and all-star artists. Since visiting here before, some new unconquered ; buckjumpers have been purchased, and it is said Hint nothing has been seen to equal them in the Dominion, l'he sum of £2O will be given to any person | producing a horse to unseat Mr. O'Neill and £1 a minute will be presented to | anyone riding anv of the outlaws, and if anyone can retain his seat on "Maori Jack" for half a minute the management will pay him £2. There will lie cash prizes given each evening to those who ride longest. "Merry Jerry," the playful calf is a new addition and never fails to create roars of laughter. Barnard and Barnard, who are termed tlie world's champion rifle shots, will be seen for the first time here in their •'William*Tell" act, and they are said to hold tlie audience spellbound with their remarkable exhibition. They alternately shoot at small targets from one another's shoulders and head, and, not content with doing this in the ordinary way, they hold the lilies in all sorts of positions, and each time the bullet speeds with unerring aeuracy. "Little Sandow," the invincible trick pony, will be put through some new and wonderful tricks by Mr. O'Neill, bis trainer. There will also be high-jumping and exhibitions of rough and buck-jump riding by Ernie O'Neill and stall'. The amusement is contributed to by the clowns, donkeys, etc. ''Fun i;i the stockyard," a'great laughter-producer, brings a monster programme to a close. Special concessions are offered to ladies, who are admitted to all parts for Is.