BENGOUGH.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9615, 8 October 1909, Page 5

BENGOUGH.

A DELIGHTFUL ENTERTAINMENT. Had there been a aniall attendance at the Town Hall last evening, to welcome Mr Bengough, the Canadian cartoonist and raconteur, it would have been excusable on account of the liberal manner in which Masterton has been catered for of late in the matter of entertainments. But the reputation of Mr Bengough preceded him, and the result was a large, appreciative and representative gathering. The artist showed himself quite able to rise to the occasion, clever with his crayons, of a genial ready humour, skilful in holding the interest of the audience, and expert in moving trem to laughter. He is pre eminent in the art of cartooning, dawing quickly and firmly, and as he works he talks in the cltvereat and brightest manner imaginable. The uicture meanwhile grows with incredible rapidity Last evening he introduced to tho ie present a of chairman, who, while saying that he does not intend to mace a long speech, unburdens himself of a half hour's oration on rothin* at all. Oi:e of the best items was a spirited delivery of his own lines upon "The Visit of the Yankee Squadron," as spoken- by an enthusiastic tar back again in America, after being feted in Australasia. At the close of this item the Hall rang with applause. He'figured as a singer in a laughable travesty of "Smgor Peanutte," an artist who had spent a long time in Italy, quite six months, and had returned to his ! native village. He showed his facility with the crayon by representing portraits of local citizens in a startling lifelike manner. A few skilful strokes With the crayon revealed to the astonished audience a representation of a well krown mpm ber of the Gas Committee of the : ral Borough Council. Bowling enthusiasm who had been indulging in their favourite pastime during the afternoon did not escape notice, nor diJ a prominent official of the Trust Lands" Trust. Latter on the artist gave something special for the ladies in the shape of a sketch of a fair one gowned in the new directoire style, and wearing a Merry Widow hat. Mr Borneo Gardner, the artistic siffleur, craated a delightful impression, whistling "The Mocking Bird," the bird-like trilb being brought out in a most realistic manner. In response to an encore he whistled "Cavalleria Rusticana." In the second half of the programme he gava a number of popular airs, and was recalled. Mr Claude Allan, who is the possessor of a pleasing light baritone voice, sang acceptably "Time was I Roved the Mountains," and "The Tinker's Somj." Miss Dora Carroll demonstrated her exceptional capabilities as a pianoforte executant in the numbers "Marche Hongraise" (Henri Kowalski), and "Gavotte Corelii" (Friedenthal).