A SINGER ON TOUR.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1065, 2 March 1911, Page 6

A SINGER ON TOUR.

MISS AMY CASTLES IN AVELLINGTON. Miss j Amy Castles is an Australian girl who "loves free life and loves fresh air" (to quote some Australian poet), and when she informed a Dominion representative last evening that she had enjoyed every minute of the overland AVest Coast tour she glowed with conviction. "AVhat a. wonderful drive it is through the Otira Gorge! AVhen the great bare mountains are towering, miles it seems, in the air above, and great rivers look liko insignificant brooks in a temper miles below, it makes one reflect—you know what I mean—it makes us feel what atoms we are in Nature's scheme."

And where did you sing? "Oh, everywhere where there were people to listen—Hokitika, Reefton, Greymonth, Nelson, and Blenheim—and what good listeners they arc! Our audiences were simply splendid, and I'm told we established new records."

I had heard the West Coast called tho Wet Coast. That's a deliberate, libel— wo had beautiful weather all the time, and were able to .enjoy the superb scenery all the time. AVe did get some rain—it •attacked us fiercely during the last part ot the coach journey to Nelson-yes, we coached it—and for good, honest ri»htdown rain it could not be beaten. There was nothing coquettish about it, I can tell you. They tell 1110 that the farmers were exceedingly glad, E0 it would be positively boorish to complain, besides it varied the aspect of the scenery "One thing lam delighted to'tell you is that we saw 'Pelorus Jack.' I had heard so much about this wonderful fish v., , b , cl , lev , e J . Ivould have had tho blues it Jack had failed us. It was quite an honour, you. know, for he had not been seen ior three months—away 011 a holiday or something; but out he came and played grandly round the bows of the I'ateena tor quite a time. Then 110 turned on his side, gave a knowing wink, and left us lonely again. I can never forget his Kindness and courtesy And the future, Miss Castles? \Yc tour tho North Island, and leave Aucklamffor Sydney 011 April 10, and for London at the end of tho month. I have had an oner to appear in grand opera in 7,.Y> J l "' would love to do so, but don't l?.®" 1 :! 1 ' i ,lst yet- I only nlavcd Butterfly 111 New Zealand, but, in Australia, after I returned from here, I sang junu 111 La Bohemo,' and also appeared 111 Gavalleria Rusticana' and 'I Pagliacci' 1 am also working hard at other grand opera parts, and hope soon to become quite a repertoire artist. I am going to sing tho solo from the first act of 'Butterfly on Saturday. It is au innovation 011 tho concert platforrii, but has been welcomed everywhere—besides, I love it."