AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 41, 13 March 1909, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

warm's circus. The light showers of rain which fell early last evening did not interfere with the "attendance at Wirtli's circus and zoo, the huge pile of canvas erected op posite the Railway Station being well tilled with spectators. The pcifonmrjcv was quite unlike that of any submitted during former visits. The old idea that •'all circuses are alike" was entirely exploded, each 'turn" being quite new to the New Plymouth public. Among the most striking features of the show was the giraffe, standing nearly thirteen feet in height. This quaintly-shaped anil strangely-coloured beast was paraded around the ring aud viewed with much curiosity. The riding and driving of eight ponies in the ring by Master Eddie | Christie was more exciting than usual, owing to a stray bull-dog entering the ring. Finding escape amongst the scampering ponies' feet hopeless, the bulldog made for one of the ponies, and, springing up, grabbed the pony by the muzzle. The canine was shakeu oil', but returned to the charge undaunted. Several assistants and the ring-master tried unsuccessfully to oust the bull-dog, who was bent on having "an eye for an eye." The act concluded by the ponies being run out of the inner ring, and then Mons Marco, the wild animal tamer, dashed in ami seized the dog by "the collar, dragging doggie by the

" scruff of the neck " and expelling him from the tent, amidst the plaudits of the crowd. The Brothers Uodriqucs displayed some marvellous balancing work on the trapeze. An clement of excitement was provided in the act of -Mons Marco, who put a trio of line Bengal, tigers through a number of tricks. The Ganion Brothers were exceptionally adept in their acrobatic feats, their performing dogs also lieing very clever. Mons. Matika supplied a good item by collecting ill a large cage a lion, pony, kangaroo, dog and goat. These performed tricks together, concluding by the whole lot. including the trainer, lying clown together. Tile Sydney Brothers gave a marvellous exhibition of hick bicvele riding. In their linnl act "lie brother jumps his bicycle on to the staging from a platform about a dozen feet P'iVhl' WbVttc the other brother, also mounted on his bike, is thrown into the air and turns a complete somersault before landing again. The astonishing muscular acts of the Les Crottons and of Ilket. the elephants' performances, the tumbling, the high jumping by the horses Lady Corton and Maori, and other turns, made up a performance that sent the audience away well satisfied. The zoological collection aeeompaiiyiu" the show is an excellent one. The animals appeared to be in excellent condition. During the afternoon and cvciii„T the menagerie was inspected by a lar«e number of children and adults.