ATHLETIC CARNIVAL AND CONCERT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9062, 24 May 1888, Page 6

ATHLETIC CARNIVAL AND CONCERT.

Professor Carrollo, the well-known athlete and gymnast, took his benefit last night at the Opera House, the entertainment taking the form of an athletic carnival. in which the Professor was assisted by his pupils of the Auckland and Ponsonby gymnasiums, and an additional feature was added by assistance given by members of the English football team. The leading feature, of course, was in gymnastics, and it is not too much to say that a better display in this respect there has never been in Auckland. The exercise with dumb bells, bringing some fifty on the stage, was picturesque in appearance, and the movements showed perfection of drill, the marching and counter-marching at the close of the exercises being admirably carried out. The vaulting on the military horse was also a splendid exhibition, and in this Messrs. Eagles and Speakman, of the English football team, took creditable parts. They were distinguished by their team colours, and every appearance was the signal for applause. They did well, although others did better, but the audience recognised their geniality and good nature, and gave them all credit for their services. The performances on the parallel bars, and on the three horizontal bars, were feats of extraordinary skill, grace, and power, in which the two members of the team already referred to bore their part; but in the latter Professor Carrollo stood alone, head and shoulders above all the rest, and his feats were so daring, difficult, and clever, that it was not to be wondered at that he was greeted with the warmest plaudits. The feats of the Indian club squad were remarkable for their correctness to time, and the performance on the Roman rings was clever in all its details. Two of the principal features were the performance with the light Indian clubs by Mr. A. Paul, one of the English football team, and the weight lifting by Mr. J. B. Buchanan. Mr. Paul's exhibition was marked by grace of movement, wonderful command of muscular power, and thorough artistic training. His movements were watched with intense interest. He was repeatedly applauded, and in tbe ovation which greeted him at the finish, none were more enthusiastic than his fellow-footballers of the English team. Mr. Buchanan is a wonder. The manner in which he plays about with extraordinary weights as if they were rubber balls is astonishing. Straightening, extending, or elevating his arms with 641b held in each hand seems to him fun, the whole being apparently easy to him, but when it came to lifting and elevating at arm's length above his head a weight of 1401b, there was a manifest effort. lie was accorded hearty and warm applause. Some exhibitions of single-stick and boxing were also given. The proceedings were diversified by a concert. Mr. T. M. Jackson sang, " I Seek Thee in Every Flower," and "Good Company." He was encored for both, and in response to the former he substituted " Let Me Like a Soldier Fall," and to the latter, The Memory of the Past." Miss Knight sang "Kathleen Mavourneen" and "Ask Me No More" with much expression, and in answer to an encore sang very piquantly " Two is Company, Three is None." Miss Lorrigan also contributed a musical gem, " Sing Sweet Bird," for which she received a hearty meed of applause ; and Mr. Worrall sang "The Gallants of England" and " The Dear Little Shamrock" with good taste. Altogether the entertainment, although somewhat prolonged, was very successful. The house was fairly filled, the dress circle especially being fully patronised, and the audience was evidently pleased, if the measure of applause accorded, is to be taken as an indication.