PLAYING WITH NIAGARA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 326, 31 January 1874, Page 3

PLAYING WITH NIAGARA.

Signor Henry Balleni, an Italian, astonished the visitors at Niagara Falls, on the 25 th ult,, by crossing the chasm on a tight rope, as Blondin did years ago, and subsequently diving from the middle of the rope into the river below — a feat which his predecessor did not attempt. " The rope, 150 yards in length (says an American paper), was stretched from Prospect Park, on the American side, to near the Clifton Houbc on the other. About four o'clook Balleni appeared on the Canadian side and began to walk out, but after a few steps returned and ordered the cable to be tightened When this was done, at 4.45 the start was made. At 4.54 Balleni reached the middle of the rope, where he halted to return his salutation to the tremendous applause which greeted his exploit. After resting himself for a brief period, the signor again started on his tramp. This was the only stop made, and at 5.10 o'clock the perambulist, looking as pale as death, had reached the American end of his rope, he having made the trip in twenty-five minutes. After another rest of thirteen minutes, Signor Balleni again took his pole in hand, aud was off to the middle of the rope to make the great leap. It took him just six minutes to arrive at the centre of the rope, and when there he at once began making preparations to jump. While thus engaged he lost his balancing pole, which fell into the watei and sank. A cord, 6ft. long, made of rubber bauds, was attached to the rope at a point jußt 115 ft. above the surface of the water. Balleni caught held of one end of the elastic cord before the spectators thought he was ready to go. He descended like an arrow, and the recovering snap of the rubber was almost instantaneous with the loud splash of his fall in the water. No sooner was the splash heard than the head of the Signor came peeping out of the water, and he struck out vigoronsly and heartily towards the boat, which was there to pick him up. He was quickly hauled into tho little craft, carefully Wrapped up xvitK licwwy Ulan Ucla, one! rovred to shore.