WOODYEAR'S CIRCUS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 1951, 28 March 1885, Page 2

WOODYEAR'S CIRCUS.

After an absence of twelve months, during which various parts of the colony were visited, Woodyear's Circus made a reappearance last night, the large tent being pitched in a paddock off Queen-street, kindly lent for the occasion by Mr F. H. Wood. A drizzling rain no doubt prevented many people from venturing outside their own doors, yet there was a good attendance, the second-class seats' being entirely filled, so that seating accommodation for some of those who had taken half-orown tickets had to be found with the first-olass, where there was but very little room available. Since the last visit a number of changes have been mado, nearly all of which, we were pleased to notice, have' tended towards the general improvement of the show, while original and well-tried talent has boen retained. The programme opened with a clever hunting act, in which horses and riders showed a very satisfactory acquaintance with the necessary drill, after which Mr Jack Cousins appeared in his principal riding act for which he was loudly applauded, Miss Annie Shields then ascended to the trapeze, after the manner of the woman with the iron jaws, by beinghoisfced up by a rope and pulley, her only hold being taken with her teeth. She seemed to be almost as much at home as if she had been on the floor, and performed some balancing feats which must be seen to be appreciated or understood. Mr Woodyear next introduced his trick pony, a handsome, docile and well-drilled little animal, which apparently knew as much of what was expected of it as Mr Woodyear himself, or tiie clown whom it seemed so ready to obey. One of the very best items qn the prqgrainme was Mr Taylor's performance on a ball measuring about three feet in diameter. Ho first travelled round the ring standing qn it, and then performed a number of juggler's feats, such as keeping a number qf balls in the air, concluding with a similar trick with five large and dangerous looking knives,. After a tworhorsehurdleact by Mr Albert King, a number of tumblers made their appearance. Among theso came a number of tumblers, among whom Cooma Ketohie, a Japanese was preeminent, and it was at times really 'difficult to tell where to find his head or his heels. After an interval Mr Talbot Shields appeared on liorsebaok, and gave a number of representations of scenes from the life and duties of sailors, Miss Euby Scarsdale next mounted the trapeze, and dolighted the spectators with a number of olever and daring acts, all of them being performed with remarkable ease and grace, We do not remember having seen a better exhibition of skill on the trapeze, and both the ladies we have named can fairly claim to stand unsurpassed in the colony in their particular studies, In descending Miss Scarsdale simply put the rope round her leg and slipped down it as if it were a matter of the greatest ease, occasionally stopping, or turning to side, Mr Cousins and young Francis then gave some very clever feats on horseback, Mr Wombald evidently delights in taking things upside down, and if they do not accommodate themselves to his way of looking at them, he simplyreverses himself. Among other things lie stood on his head on a large pyramid of bottles and decanters, where the least slip might have brought about very serious results. After him'Mr Cousins appeared in a good four horse act; being succeeded by Cooma Kitchie, who, one would think, had learned his way of ascending a pole by studying monkeys. His performance must be counted among the best of the evening. A fairly good farce concluded the programme, The final performance will be given this evening, the circus being due at Woodville on Monday. There is connected with the circus, a tent in which are shown a cow with no less than five horns, a remarkably small and handsome pony, and a sheep with three legs. The first-named of these animals was bred at Port McKay, Queensland, and is in all respects but the one, a fair specimen of the bovine race. She is not at all of a bellicose disposition. The charge for admission is trifling, and the animals are well worth seeing by old as well as young.

' KICKING OUT A LODGER. • —■—-• The following amusing case is reported in the Napier Telegragh :—At the KM. Court, beforo Captain Preece, KM., W. J. Neville was charged with beating one M. W. Rackham yesterday. The accused pleaded guilty, but stated he had repeatedly requested complainant to leave his wife's house and get lodgings elsewere, and he used no more than sufficient force to remove him from his wife's premises. He pleaded guilty to striking him, or rather kicking hjm. Mr Sheath appealed for the'complainant. Matthew Williain Rackhan), residing in papier, deposed Ije was studying for hqly orders, He was. boarding with Mrs Neville, and yesterday he was in the drawing room. The door was suddenly opened, and before he knew who was in the room found his head in chancery, was knocked down, and while there was subjected to a series of running kicks. He told the accused if he wanted an explanation he would refer him to the Bishop and the Rov. S. Williams. Accused retorted ,' D—the Bishop," and then kicked him in the face. An expressman standing by said "Why dontyou get out of his way." He could not do so because he .'was completely exhausted; with the assistance of Mrs Mary Neville he managed'to get out qf the house. Mr Neville all the time was calling him abusive and. most offensive as well as disgusting names. Had given 'no provocation to Mr Neville. Mr Shaath wanted to call other witnesses. The accused

said ho hoped Mr Shoafch", who had already done him ham," did not intend to drag any of his family into a Police Court, The complainant had .consulted the Bishop as to leaving Mrs Nevillo's house, but the Bishop advised him to stay on, writing a nice note to Mr Neville. Accused said his-wife had no need to take in boarders,-as by her marriage settlement she was in receipt of £240 per annum. His Worship said complainant was not wise to stay in the house after having been requested to leave. He would not bind over defendant to keep the peace, as he said he had no ill-will against the complainant if he would only leavo the house. Defendant was fined £3, with 7s costs, or in default seven days' hard labor.