THE GREAT AMERICAN CIRCUS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4287, 16 December 1874, Page 2

THE GREAT AMERICAN CIRCUS.

A circus is always an immense attraction, and to the young people especially “ a joy for ever." But the maintenance of a first-class circus company is a most serious matter pecuniarily to the proprietors; for the best talent can only be retained by the payment of high salaries, while the number of artists of lesser eminence who must be maintained, and the army of supernumeraries, to say nothing of the keep and care of the horses, involves a large and certain daily expenditure ; while the travelling expenses must unavoidably be very considerable, and there must occur not a little expenditure in every town visited before the company can perform. We may be excused, therefore, for drawing attention somewhat prominently to the approaching arrival of the Great American Circus Troupe, which we have reason to believe is really a supeiior one, that justice may be done to them by the public during their few days’ stay in this city. The company come from Nelson, where they have last been performing, by the s.s. Wellington, which is due here this evening or to-morrow morning. It comprises fourteen performers, male and female, all of surpassing excellence in their various lines of business. Seven of them were members of Chiarini’s great troupe—and Chiarini’s was a troupe managed on a princely scale, and to which nothing mediocre, or even moderately superior, was admitted. The other members of the company were selected from the best circus performers in Australia. Both riders and vaulters are of the very highest class. The horses and ponies are numerous and highlytrained. A .fine brass band accompanies the troupe, and we learn that the whole performances are gone through in a finished manner, to -Which the most fastidious cannot take exception. Yesterday the workmen were busily engaged smoothing the ground, preparing the circle, laying on the gas, and erecting a temporary office, in which the gas-meter will be placed, and the general business of the troupe transacted. We trust that the weather may be favorable during the few nights the company will perform.