ACID THROWN ON TENT

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23220, 6 January 1941, Page 8

ACID THROWN ON TENT

SERIES OF OUTRAGES REPORTED DOMINION SHOW BUSINESS

("BESS ASSOCIATION TEI.EGRAM.) WELLINGTON, January 4,

’ Acid was thrown over, a-large part of the tent of a circus at Evans Bay carnival last night. The outrage, to some sources, was only part of a’’, long series, including the cutting; of ' tyres, the burning of tents, the cutting ’of ropes, and other acts of sabotage throughout New Zealand.

Evidently the night Watchman employed was eluded. It was stated that an attempt was being made to "clean up” the show business through the New Zealand Showmen’s Guild, a licensed organisation, and throughout New Zealand members had; been sub-, jected to the outrages mentioned. The guild aims at the holding of licences being enforced and that only men of

good character should- be allowed into the business. Mr R. Williams,, the proprietor of the circus at the carnival, said, that his' show was in the New Zealand Showmen’s Guild. All throughout New Zealand members of the guild had been subjected, to outrages. “An attempt is being made to clean up the show business,” said Mr Williams, “and our organisation is doing that. We ask that, the holding of a licence should be enforced, so that only men of good character should be allowed to go into the business. The Royal Show Association carried that into practice. They allow only licensed men on their showgrounds.” The Napier Mardi Gras, was accepting only men Who had licences'issued by the Royal Show Association, said Mr Williams. .

“This sort of fixing has been going on for a considerable' time throughout New Zealand,”; said'Mr Williams, “although this is. the first instance-we have had of it at the ■ Evans Bay carnival.”