A Magician

Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 13875, 2 May 1918, Page 5

A Magician

APPEARS AT ANZAC CLUB. The crowd in the Anzac Club last night, when the 41st Reinforcement (the ma-harried men) were being farowelled, was so great that it bulged out on to the balconies and spilled itself down the stairs. Nearing the close of the programme when the thawing out process had left the audience mellow and enthusiastic, a plump little five feet of magic, called Alaliui, elbowed hi* way through the crowd, and with a benevolent smile and broken English, offered to entertain the boys for a few minutes. With a pack of cards an# some excellent Yiddish stories, half an hour was soon out of sight. MaiiaS performed the most amazing and bewildering tricks with unparalleled neatness. lie called upon one Awapuni soldier to shuffle the cards, who soon boiled the whispered accusation that he was a “religious objector” by the dexterous manner in which he handled tho pack. The service of the Mayor was also requisitioned, but he found thfc tricks even more mystifying on closer inspection. ‘‘lf 1 could pick winner* like he picks the cards, life would be worth living," was the muttered comment of one enthusiast. Mr Malini’s generous offer to the Mayor to perforin at any camp or hospital was readily accepted, and to-day has been earmarked for an entertainment at the Old People’s Homo.