PROBASCO’S CIRCUS.

Patea Mail, Volume X, Issue 121, 20 October 1897, Page 2

PROBASCO’S CIRCUS.

The promised appearance of this circus was given on Monday evening to a good audience, and one that would have been very much better had not the late arrival of the company caused a very uneasy feeling as to the probability of its arrival or ability to play, as many country residents had left town doubtless with the news of its non arrival long before it put man appearance. Six o’clock is too late for a circus to reach a town on the evens ing upon which it is to give a performance, but it was fully that hour before the company and its property were on the ground, which, as may be imagined, meant a hurriedly prepared tent and totally neglected ring. It is unnecessary to follow the performance through, as it was of the usual “circus” type with one exception—a horizontal bar performance by Miss Amy Estelle while the bar wa* being carried by two riders on bareback horses. The trapeze work of Miss Amy Estelle, including the double dislocation act, was also excellent. Madame Pros basco’s riding was also exceptionally good and graceful, as was also her acrobatic , work. The statuary all through was also good, while the acrobatism of little Miss Ruby was remarkably jAeasing, and the work throughout by the Australian gets was of a high order. The chief feature of the “ show ” however, was undoubtedly the excellence of the tranm ing of the ring(animals. The lot of ponies who came out at call ranged themselves as directed and were put through their various tasks shewed how thoroughly Mr Pro* basco understands horse training and to what perfection of training the horse is capable of being brought. It is impossible, however, not to note the enormous stretch of imagination requisite to accept “ lugomar ” as a “ talking horse,” that he is highly trained is beyond doubt, but akin to talking, no. It is, however, possibly wrong to judge on Monday’s exhibition, ns the animals were all visibly jaded and coming off the road only after six should scarcely have been asked to go into the ring at halLpast eight; as it was they did their work infinitely more per- ' fectly than did those whose duty it was 1 to prepare the ring and accommodation; and no doubt when Mr Probasco has settled down to his summer road work his showing dates will be fixed well within its travelling capacity so that unprepared I rings and jaded cattle will disappear from', I the programme when a really good show ) will result.