PRINCESS THEATRE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18512, 24 March 1922, Page 2

PRINCESS THEATRE

The coloured comedians, Rastus and Banks, mado a first appearance at the matinee at the Princess Theatre yesterday, and at once won popular approval. They go through their act—mostly dancing—at a whirlwind pace, and their work is clever and finished. The male member can turn somersaults while dancing, land on one foot, and resume his dance as if it had not been interrupted. His shoulder somersaults are also cleanly executed. The female performer sings, joins her partner in cross talk, and dances in first-class style. Tho performance of the newcomers yesterday afternoon assures them of appreciative audiences during their stay in Dunedin. Tubln* Stevens is a quaint burlesque comedian, and he had the audience in roars of laughter during his eccentric performance. An excellent turn is presented by Janies Teddy, a trimly-built athlete, whoso jumping over chairs and leaping in the air is of quite a remarkable character. The Kennedy Brothers (eccentric dancers), Maggie" Buckley (vocalist). Tilton and West (singing and patter artists), Mdlle Nadie (acrobat), and George Dixon (comedian), ably assist with turns of individual merit.

THE FUTURE OF OTAGO CENTRAL. TO THE EDITOR. Sib, —Now that the Hon. J. G. Coates has expressed surprise at the ■ apparent apathy of Dunedin citizens regarding affairs in Central Otago, our leading business men may wake up to the fact that if Dunedin is going to hold her place alongside the other centres it will be through the expansion of Otago Central, and this can undoubtedly be brought about by forcing tho Government of the dajr to push on and complete the present irrigation schemes, and, where necessary, supply further irrigation. It is a well-known scientific and practical fact that, given water, the soil of Otago Central will grow anything. This is borne out by 1 the beautiful crops of lucerne and other cereals that oan be seen where settlers have gone in for small private irrigation schemes. As all produce * from the Central must come through Dunedin, it can be readily seen that our future progress in Dunedin is closely linked with that of the Central. It appears that Mr Coates has commented on the fact that the newspapers have said little or nothing about the needs of the Central, and in my humble opinion he could have added to this by saying that our local papers very seldom mention our own local needs, one of which, tho Post Office, occurs to me now. This brings me to a suggestion that has been in my mind for some time, and that is the amalgamation of such societies as the Chamber of Commerce, Expansion League, Carnival Week Committee, etc., all of which societies have for their main object the boosting of Otago and its capital. Now, if . the revenue of these different societies were banked together. I venture to say that the total would admit of the engagement of a clever secretary, whose sole duties would be to do the work of the , society thus formed and incidentally boost Otago and Dunedin. The present committees could remain and work as sub-committees of the parent body, •under the ‘one secretary, and this would stop any overlapping which must exist . under present circumstances. ! Judging from your leader in this morning’s paper, you are fully alive to the possibilities of Otago Central, and I trust you will not let this matter rest with one article, as, from a young business man’s standpoint, Dunedin's welfare is too closely linked with that of the Central for an isolated article to suffice.—l am, etc., Business Man. Dunedin, March 22. THE MONUMENTS. TO THE EDITOR. SIE, —There seems to be a difficulty in deciding what to db with the monuments. Why not place them in the Triangle, where they oan be properly protected and surrounded with flower beds, ’like the monument at the Oval? All unprotected monuments which ore decorated a few feet above the ground ore liable to be damaged. A garden forms a suitable setting for monuments. If another entrance were made at the west end of th© Triangle a clearer view of the monuments would be obtained, and the effect would also be to make the place more inviting to the public. The Cargill Monument is in a splendid position, but is spoilt by the poles, signs, and other things placed about it. The beautifying of our city rest© mainly with our architects and gardeners. The majority of our architects received their first professional training from the first master and his assistants of the local Art School. By the appearance of our buildings they seem to be a credit to their instructors. I am, etc., A. H. Dunstan.