SIDESHOW ALLEY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19155, 11 November 1927, Page 10

SIDESHOW ALLEY.

MANY ATTRACTIONS. A vfonderful lot of attractions wer« to be found in the "side-show alley," which yesterday was thronged by hundreds, whose attention was caught by the raucous cries of the showmen, the antics of clowns, the tunes of circus bands, and the mechanical music of hurdy-gurdies. Freaks of nature as usual were in great variety. There was, for instance, a three-legged cow rejoicing in the name of "Queenie," sleek and healthy-looking, the animal stood on its three Jimbs apparently as if the lack of a foreleg was no incon-. irenience." "Queenie" is in her fourth year, but is now dry, although she produced milk last year. She was born in New Zealand and the proprietors offered £IOO to charity if it could be proved that-sbe was not genuine. "Poly-Moo-Zukel," a sis-legged animal, which is like a dragon in ance, no doubt found solace in hisfreakishness when.he realised that beside him was a lamb also with two extra legs. A gentleman, who is called "The Mysterious Ghurka," every now and again uttered some unintelligible words" and then proceeded to dance barefooted on a quantity of broken glass, besides which he ate, apparently with relish, some lighted balls, a diet on which he appeared to thrive. "The Globe of Death" turn introduced a pair of intrepid motor-cyclists who rode at a high speed inside a wire globe, the speed enabling them to loop the loop with ease to the amazement of onlookers.

In another tent "Sydney Tom" defied all efforts of an outlaw broncho, "Killarney," to xmhorse him. - "Tony," the smallest racehorse in the world, • according to his owner, proved a great favourite with children, who were allowed to ride onvhim.' He is a docile animal, and if one should fall from him there is not far to drop.

The "D'Almaine Comedy. Company" provided a programme of vaudeville. Profesor D'Almaine performed conjuring tricks and showed uncanny .powers as a hypnotist. Little Marie, aged four, showed unusual precocity in her turn, while the ventriloquialacfc of Dal and Georgie was a clever piece of work. Miss Gladys D'Almaine held her audience spellbound with a display of mental telepathy and spiritism, and Abdul, the mystic, introduced the Haunted Sarcophagus.

A sacred Amazonian spider ape, a most valuable animal, was one of the most interesting features of Karno's Circus. Marmosets and bird monkeys also claimed attention, especially one little beast which squealed like a bird and had bird-like talons." An interesting example of the affection that sometimes exists.between animals of t quit© distinct species was seen in a cat and a dog which occupied the same basket. The cat's mother died when the former was a kitten and the dog, a. Serbian terrier, brought it up as its own. The terrier's mother instinct was further proved by its rearing of a white rat. . A Wild West show featured "Dyna/mite,'' an Australian outlawJiorse, "Inkers and Donkers," clowns'; "Katie," an untamable mule; "Lightning;" a' .jennette, and a wire somersaulting act.

Two of .the most-striking exhibits among the side-shows were a lady's frock and a steam engine made from glass. The frock, which was worn by Miss Mae Kingsley at the Ambassadors' Ball, Sydney, a few months ago, can be folded and packed in a suitcase so flexible are. the glass thread? in the fabric, which 1 took eleven weeks to spin. The engine," which works quite satisfactorily, is of the lieam type, which is used by American river steamers and ferries in various parts of the world. Many useful articles were manufactured by. a glass blower in the presence of those patronising the exhibition.

A big Ferris wheel, which provided many a thrill during the day and provided its passengers with a fine view of the ground as it revolved, was a popular attraction, and there were innumerable hoop-las,- dart games, skittle alleys, and similar stands and. of course, roundabouts.

Side Show Alley was open to the publici again in the evening and attracted a large attendance, which.represented a rich harvest to the, showmen. Tlie side-shows will be open a,2ain to-tijght and all day to-morrow until 10 p.m.,'admission being free to the grounds on those occasions.

BASKETWARE

A LIVELY DEMAND. . Members of the Christehurch Rotary Club had a busy time yesterday in the tent on the Show Grounds in which they held a sale,of basket and wickerware, on behalf of the Jubilee Institute for the Blind, Auckland. There was a particularly' brisk demand for picnic baskets, but the other kinds, of which there was a good variety, also sold well. The sale is to be continued to-day, and the indications are that intending purchasers should be early at the tent as the stocks are limited and likely to be disposed of before the day is very old.