DOWN, BUT NOT OUT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 283, 30 November 1931, Page 5

DOWN, BUT NOT OUT.

TROUBLES OF A CIRCUS.

GENEROSITY OF THAMES

PERFORMERS EXPRESS GRATITUDE

In August there appeared an advertisement in an Australian cinema paper inviting applications from first-class performers to join a circus to tour New Zealand... . Applicants Avere promised long contracts, good pay and guaranteed return fares. With eo many vaudeville and circus performers out of employment, it was not surprising that the promoters received a good response, and, with new tents and equipment, a talented band of 40 members, together with an advance agent, duly arrived in Wellington at the end of August. The opening performance took place at Upper Hutt in September—really a month or six weeks too soon, in the opinion, of . entrepreneurs. . However, the performers were pleased to start. Trouble began early, when, receiving short money, the performers had suspicions that the enterprise was not financially secure. There were fair attendances, but, afterworking a week the managers openly confessed to having no money to carry on. A Dwindling Band. The 'performers, having got so far, agreed to make the best of it, and for eight weeks the show toured from Wellington' and through the East Coast, the artists receiving a jjound or so occasionally. In twos and threes, members left the company, and upon arrival at Thames the remaining members of the circus were in straightened circumstances. The managers then felt disposed to close down, but the'remaining performers insisted on continuing, in default the payment of their arrears in wages and. fares back to Australia. The. takings at Thames, it. was discovered, were £31, and the managers thereupon called a' meeting and expressed a determination to cease operations. The performers replied that they had no money and did not know what to do. When they awoke next morning, Monday, and went to the cookhouse, they found that the cook had gone, and the larder contained only half a loaf of bread, a little butter, and tea —for eighteen people. The managers sail there was no more food, and- demanded possession of the tents. Ready Response to Appeal. In desperation the performers appealed to the police, Sergeant McNamara sympathising with them. He told them their only remedy was by litigation. He introduced them to Mr. Touge, of the Charitable Aid Board, who, realising their plight, brought the matter under the notice of the Mayor, Mr. S. Ensor. Tho Mayor immediately took tho matter up by calling a public meeting, and as a result the Jocal iire brigade and several other institutions deeide.l to combine and give a benefit night in the circus tent, if it could be utilised.

The managers consented, one agreeing to give hid services also, provided he received a percentage ' ; of the benefit funds. The benefit entertainment was well attended. In the meantime Mr. Tonge placed the whole position in the hands of a local firm of solicitors, and the outcome was that the complete .show— tents,, equipment, and the motor conveyance—passed into the ownership and title of the performers.

The p-cus band speak with glowing appreciation of the kindness they received at Thames. On several occasions residents sent so much good food that the performers had to request curtailment of supplies to avert waste. More than that, the Mayor of Thames handed the troupe a fine testimon'l 1. A change of fortune followed the <*;-cus at Pukekolie, where the municipal authorities adopted the unusual course of halving the amount of fee required for license to show in a tent. Continuing its tour of South Auckland three weeks ago, the circus, with the hearty co-operation of all members, has been more successful,- and has actually paid several small dividends, but encouraging.

"It is our intention," said the new managing performer, when discussing his experiences and the troubles of his associates, "some day to show our thankfulness to the Mayor, citizens, and people of Thames. The townspeople there have made a reputation for themselves that will not be-forgotten in the travelling show .world."