AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 18, 15 February 1909, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS.

BURNS-JOHNSON PICTURES. 1 The New Zealand Times said of the 1 pictures that are to he shown at NV.v ll\l*i»onUh ito-nightl-:—'(The moving piciu.vs of the taiuous Burns-Johnson boxing contest for the .World's Churnpionsuip are proving a verv effective "draw •'■ in the Theatre Royal nightly. The huge Texas negro's victory over the game liule Canadian is vividly depicted in a fine m-rios of pictures. The training views are very interesting. Burns is said to be the .cleverest and hardest ba]|k puncher living, and the most adroit skipper conceivable. his bouts with his sparring partner are a spirited exposition. Johnson's training routine is also splendidly pourtrayed. During the past seven yenrs Johnson has disposed of such noted men as Sain Langforil, Joe Jennnette, young Peter Jackson, and Boh Fitzsimmous. Johnson lias never been knocked out in his life, and is considered by many authorities to be the most scientific exponent of the fistic art now living."

A GREAT WRITER AND THE KILTIES. A celebrated American writer and poet said: "I have to thank the Kilties for my present position in the literary < world. Up to the time T first heard the Kilties, music never attracted me. 1 was an aimless wanderer about the earth, ambitionless. l«'rom the hrst few minutes I heard this celebrated hand play, a great change came over me; my body was thrilled, .causations foreign to me penetrated my blood and discovered emotions I had never before realised: my mind and body felt a sense of enjoyment and health, a new world opened before me; I followed the Kilties Band from town to town, their music had fairly enslaved me, had revealed to me the miserable, selfish, useless life 1 had plunged into, opened before me broad avenues that lead to a bright and beautiful world, a God-like world, where to work and become a teacher of ,men was a goal, next to Heaven' worth fighting for. The Kilties' concerts fascinated, hypnotised me; n ■wealth of inspiration followed, I commenced writing verse and short stories, prompted by the spirit of imagery conjured up by the Kilties' glorious music. I hare a sincere and grateful regard for these wonderful musicians, whose fine art first taught me to know myself. It whispered to me the multitudinous and indescribable bcnties of Nature:] it spoke as a voice from Heaven: and whenever now I listen to good music it ' stags aloud to me to assist in creating harmony and melody end strenuously combat discord in the life of mankind." The Kilties hare been touring for the past eight years (permanent organisa tion). and have visited four continents. Since the opening season in New Zealand they have had most enthusiastic receptions in every town jfct visited, and so pronounced have been their successes that they have now booked 19 weeks in this Dominion. They will appear at the Theatre Royal on Saturday, Febrnary 20, when two performances will be given. In the afternoon they will appear at the Theatre in a specially-arranged matinee, and in the evening a grand concert programme will be given. Those who remember the enthusiasm with which the Kilties' theatre performance was received on the occasion of their previous performance will welcome their reappearance. Popular prices will be charged.