ATHLETIC EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8556, 2 May 1891, Page 5

ATHLETIC EXHIBITION.

There was a largo audience at the Opera | House last night to witness the athletic and gladiatorial exhibition given by Mr. Duncan 0. Ross, the champion swordsman and wrestler, in conjunction with Professor Carrollo and pupils, and the excellent and varied performancb given was well appreciated. The first item was a horizontal bar act, on which Professor Carrollo and Messrs. Edwards, Wilson, Carter, Lonergan, and Russell displayed much agility and grace, the Professor especially receiving loud applause. Mr. Ross then appeared, and on being introduced by Professor Carrollo was received with loud approbation. His performance at this time was confined to feats of strength,quickness and nerve with the sword, and his splendid physical powers as well as his skill with the weapon, were at once noted. He cut at one blow through the carcase of a sheep hanging from a rope, while he next severed a bar of lead threequarters of an inch thick, which was suspended by two paper loops from the points of two swords. This feat, which exhibited in a marked degree Mr. Ross' marvellous quickness and power of stroke, was loudly applauded. The next trick was a thrilling one. After Mr. Ross had asked for a volunteer from the audience to hold a potato on his neck while it was cut through with a sword, there was a pause, and Professor Carrollo had taken his position to essay the dangerous part of "chopping block," when Mr. R. Caultonstepped forward amid cheers. The potato was placed upon his neck, «nd he braced himself in a stooping posture, while Mr. Ross took up a heavy and murderous-looking sword. The onlookers held their breath while the great swordsman made one or two preliminary sweeps with his flashing blade, and then struck a heavy downward blow, which appeared as if it must have severed Mr. Caulton's head from his shoulders. "Practice makes perfect," however, and the impetus of the mighty stroke was arrested, so that the blade only severed the potato, and the steady-nerved young athlete lifted his head unhurt, smiled, and retired. The applause which greeted the successful accomplishment of the feat was long and loud. Later in the evening Mr. Ross appeared in fencing bouts with Mr. F. W. Edwards, both foils and singlesticks being used. The latter, who bears the reputation of being the smartest amateur in the colonies, was very quick, and gained more points than the champion, much to the delight of the "Gods." The last branch of athletics in which Mr. Ross showed his prowess was heavy weight lifting, and though he failed to raise properly a 7»lb dumb-bell with his little finger, he lifted a huge bell weighing 2401b, and balanced it a full minute at atfm's length over his head, amid great applause. A series of picturesque tableaux illustrating the various styles and grips in. wrestling were given by Messrs. Ross and F. W. Edwards. • Interspersed between the acts of physical proficiency were several excellent musical items, the vocalists being Miss A. Rimmer and Mr. T. M. Jackson. The lady, whose recaption proved that she is an established favourite in the city, was in splendid voice, and her songs were rendered with • much expression, correctly sympathetic in all instances with the sentiment of the words, while in no case was finished execution lacking. She sang "The Blind Girl to Her Harp," "To-day," and "The Song That Reached My Heart." Mr. Jackson was very happy in the choice of his three numbers, which were " What am I, love, without thee ?" " In Old Madrid," and "On Venice Waters." He sang with both power and taste, and narrowly escaped a couple of encores. At the conclusion of the performance Mr. Duncan C. Ross in a few hearty words thanked Professor Carrollo and the other friends who had so courteously assisted hira.