Miscellaneous

“A bond of £1200 had to be signed by the Brennan-Fuller management before the troupe of Chinese jugglers and acrobats, known as the Pechilli troupe, were allowed to land from the Wimmera at Auckland recently. The troupe consists of four men and a boy of 16, and Madame Pechilli, who acts as manageress only. Before the party came off their finger-prints were taken by the Customs authorities.”

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XVIII, 28 August 1912, Page 4

“Mr and Mrs W.H.G. Foster left Wanganui by Saturday’s north mail, en route for Auckland, where they join the Wimmera, sailing for Sydney this afternoon. Mr and Mrs Foster, who expect to be away for some months, intend visiting all the principal Australian cities. They have been in business continuously for twenty-two years—in which time they have, by careful management, earned for Foster’s Hotel the reputation of being one of the best conducted licensed houses in the colony, and a model house of accommodation. On Saturday morning the staff, all old employees, presented Mr Foster with a smoker’s outfit and Mrs Foster with a handsome travelling bag. During their absence the house will be managed by Mr J.R. Foster, who may be trusted to maintain the excellent reputation of Foster’s Hotel. –Chronicle.”

Feilding Star, Volume I, Issue 200, 25 February 1907, Page 2

“Mr Stanley Weyman arrived by the Wimmera yesterday afternoon to complete arrangements for the production in Gisborne of the pictures of the Webb-Arnst boat race for the championship of the world, rowed on the Wanganui river. The first exhibition will be given at His Majesty’s Theatre on Thursday next, when the world’s champion, Mr Dick Arnst, will appear in person, and give a practical demonstration of the advantages of physical training.”

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11953, 23 September 1909, Page 4

“FULLER’S ENTERTAINERS.
Another large attendance of patrons was recorded at the Theatre Royal last night, when Fuller’s Entertainers were as successful in providing an enjoyable entertainment. The company is to be strengthened this evening by the addition of a number of specialists who arrived by the Wimmera yesterday from Australia. Chief among these is Cleopatra, the snake charmer, who has a collection of twenty-nine snakes and two alligators, Bonita, the clever young expert rifle shot, will also make her first appearance in the Theatre Royal. A number of attractive feats will be performed with rifle…”

Evening Post, Volume LXXIII, Issue 127, 30 May 1907, Page 2

“Cleopatra, a lady snake-charmer, arrived at Dunedin this week from Melbourne with a number of snakes, crocodiles, and boa constrictors. Some difficulty was experienced in persuading the Customs authorities to sanction the introduction of the reptiles into the colony, but eventually the difficulty was overcome and Cleopatra and her uncanny associates were allowed to land.”

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11663, 15 September 1905, Page 4