NEW ZEALAND MAGICIANS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 245, 17 October 1933, Page 11

NEW ZEALAND MAGICIANS.

An attendance far exceeding expectations greeted the annual visitors' night of the Xew Zealand Society of Magicians, held in the Auckland Operatic j Society's Hall on Saturday evening. Dante, who is completing a tour of the world with a visit to New Zealand, was the guest of honour, and he watched with interest the efforts of amateurs to entertain him. Some very entertaining and perplexing illusions were presented to the enthusiastic audience assembled. Dante was welcomed by the president of the Society, Mr. Eric McLaren, , and formally introduced to the audience. At a later stage of the performance Mr. McLaten presented the guest with a life membership of the society and the official badge. In acknowledging the presentation. Dante said that the Auckland membership was probably the last one received by him to complete membership of a society in each country of the world. In his opinion the depression was only the result of the people's ]»anic. and he felt , that recreation and entertainment such j as magic and illusion helped the public , to forget their troubles and look on the brighter side of things. Personally, he did not believe in the depression, and he had travelled right round the world, through different phases of the slum]), with his complete company and had euf- ■ fered no loss. He said that in his opinion the formation of amateur magicians' societies was to be commended and encouraged. A creditable programme followed, Jadoo, the society's youngest member, opening the programme with : some bafiling Chinese tricks. Mr. Ted ! Axford next did some strange things with an egg. As a change of bill, Mr. Peter Black gave one or two song-;, which were well received. Mr. George

Tollerton, the society's announcer* next | gave impersonations and followed by ] taking a "lady" from the audience who astounded all by her intellect. The next illusion by Mr. Harry Withers drew j some praise from Dante, when thirty j needles were swallowed, followed by a ; length of cotton. The cotton then re- j appeared with the needles threaded. Mr,: Withers then sawed a charming little girl in half and once again puzzled tho onlookers. "Kardo" proceeded to produce lighted cigarettes, cigars and billiard balls from mid-air, while, tiring of ! cigarettes, ho changed one, in his mouth, ! to a. cigar, leaving the audience open- ■ mouthed. Mr. Fred Foley gave some | clever hand shadows on a. screen and proved that the "old timers" can still "put up a good show." Mr. McLaren, the president, followed witn some new | illusions, and Mr. Alan Mathews eon- j eluded with a sword, some cards and a guinea pig—something new! An mi-j heralded item which was much appre- j ciated was the appearance of Mr. Alan j MeKlwain in some entertaining sketches. ■