THE OLYMPIA RINK.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 848, 7 June 1906, Page 17

THE OLYMPIA RINK.

The gate receipts at the rink during the week must have been very gratifying to the management. The officers from the cruiser Baltimore have frequently shown their fondness for the fascinating pastime, and there have been some splendid attendances. The rink is well conducted, and Mr. J. W. H. Martin, the manager, is always on the look-out for novelties. Mr. Geirge Reynor has been giving a clever contortion act, and numerous other attractions are advertised. Writing from the Bluff, Mr. Black tells me that the famous family have been playing at that town, also Invercargill, Riverton and at Orepuki, the most southern and coldest town in New Zealand. Although the weather was awful, business has been splendid, and packed houses the invariable rule. The Black Family leave for the South Sea Islands and Australia on July 24. * * * * I am sorry to hear that Mr. “Dick” Stewart has lost his fine bull bitch, of which he was very fond. Although perhaps not quite so well know as Mr. Royle’s Florodora, who died some months ago, yet Mr. Stewart’s bitch was very popular, for in addition to being most beautifully bred it was one of the most kindly dispositioned animals I have ever come across. Inflammation was, I believe, the cause of its death. % -X- -X- ” * The Auckland Shakespeare Society will commence the season on the 20th inst. with a reading of “Macbeth.”

The second concert of the Auckland Orchestral Society takes place tonight.

My Christchurch correspondent writes: —I am glad to have to chronicle that “Tait’s London Pictures,” one of the very best cinematograph shows we have ever had in Christchurch, has done splendid business here. The season ends to-night (Saturday). The series of beautiful coloured views entitled “Sunny Ceylon” evoked applause from all parts of the theatre. Next best thing to going to Ceylon is to sit and watch these pictures, one of the finest of which shows a herd of elephants bathing. The views of Italy, with one of Vesuvius in eruption, are also magnificent specimens of cinematographic art. So is the picture, “The Fountains at Versailles,” while the comic element is supplied in “When the Household Awakes,” “Father’s Birthday Cheese,” and a heap of others. Mr. Sydney Monk, a vocalist of unusual ability, contributes several songs at each performance, and is almost always encored. Altogether the entertainment provided by Tait Bros, is thoroughly deserving of the patronage so freely accorded to it. . . . The conversion of Canterbury Hall into a theatre is proceeding rapidly. The dress circle is being carried all the way round on each side, the corners nearest the stage being fitted each with a double private box. A determined effort is also being made to improve the acoustice properties of the building, and Mr. Tom Pollard is confident that this attempt will prove quite successful. A porch is to be erected at the dress circle entrance, so as to enable “carriage people” to cover the distance from their broughams to the building under shelter. But this porch is to be the only exterior improvement, I believe. Fuller’s Opera House must be the envy of many a visiting manager. The attendance night after night, week after week, and year after year, is so uniformly good. Just now there is a capital bill-of-fare put before patrons of this favourite place of amusement, prominent contributors being that admirable mimic Carden Wilson, Little Jackson, Craydon and Barton, Pearl Helmrich, and a round dozen or so of others. . . . Plans of the new Theatre Royal are now under consideration by the Christchurch City Fathers. We never do anything in a hurry here. That T.R. will be built “some day” probably. * * * * Mr. Frank T. Bullen’s season opens at His Majesty’s Theatre on Monday next, when we are to be given some interesting tales of the deep. The Anderson Pantomime and Dramatic Company are due to open here in “Sinbad the Sailor” on June 18. * * * * Mr. George Hall earned unstinted praise for his handling of t|ie orchestra during the recent opera season. The said orchestra was one of the best heard here for many a long day. Melbourne playgoers made no scruple of signifying their complete approval of Mr. William Collier’s versatility and charm when that brilliant young American comedian made his first appearance there in “The Dictator” (writes Mr. George Tallis). The impression he made was an entirely favourable one, and the audience told him so in a continuous succession of outbursts of laughter and applause, which kept the crowded house rocking with merriment from

first to last. Mr. Collier, as was to be expected from a man with the hall mark of two continents’ annroval on rim, proved himself a comedian of exceptional ability, and of original style, discarding the conventional methods of laughter manufacture, and substituting still more effective ones of his own. He was also excellently suited with a part calculated to bring out all the best characteristics of his personality, and with a supporting company one and all of whom are extremely well fitted for their wirk. The unequivocal enthusiasm of the reception accorded Mr. Collier was most deservedly won, while at the same time it augurs that his Australian tour will add yet more conquests to his already long list of triumphs. » * * * On Tuesday afternoon last the novel hypnotic exhibition of driving through the streets of Auckland blindfolded in search of a hidden article was given by Professor Bonner and his subject, Mr. S. C. Williams, of Bostock and Wombwell’s circus. A committee consisting of Canon Mac Murray, Messrs. P. Hansen, A. Kidd, M.H.R., A. C. Atkin, and representatives from the “Sporting and Dramatic Review” and other newspaper offices arrived at the circus tents at Mechanic’s Bay about half-past two, and after an inspection of the menagerie assembled in the main tent to receive full particulars regarding the wonderful hypnotic test which was about to begin. The task of concealing the article fell to the lot of Mr. A. Kidd. A pocket rule was selected as the article to be hidden, and half of the committee left

the circus in a cab for the purpose of hiding it, while the remainder kept watch over Professor Bonner and his subject. The occupants of the cab drove into Queen-street, up WyndIm m-street, along Albert-street, down Victoria-street into Queen-street again. Turning into Wellesley-street East, a stop was made in front of the Burlington Candy Store, where they alighted, and Mr. Kidd concealed the pocket rule under a table cover on the premises. The party then returned to the circus tent, and Professor Bonner proceeded to hypnotise Mr. Williams, who was subsequently blindfolded and led to the cab, where he occupied the driver’s seat, and took charge of the reins. Mr. Kidd sat next to him, and Professor Bonner and the members of the committee accompanied them. The blindfolded driver piloted the cab through the busy streets with remarkable skill, traversing the same route as taken by the former cab. Pulling up in front of the Burlington Candy Store he scrambled off the box and walked into the shop without any apparent hesitation, followed by the committee and interested spectators. After groping about for some time his fingers came in contact with the pocket rule. The handkerchief was then removed from his eyes by Professor Bonner, and those present showed theii- appreciation by hearty applause. A great number of people lined the streets to witness this remarkable performance, and Professor Bonner and Mr. S. C. Williams must certainly be congratulated on the success of their undertaking.