SIDELIGHTS ON SIDESHOWS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 31, 6 February 1908, Page 3

SIDELIGHTS ON SIDESHOWS.

The crowd thronged the way of tho sideshow, gazing agog at the raucousvoiced , pleaders , of publicity, who proclaimed the accomplishments of those within, the tents. The laughing galleryhad roomy quarters, and a most insistent phonograph. , "Jolly line weather this!" said its manager. "In fact, it's been a great Show year. New Plymouth vas the only places at which we had rain

for the show." Further along was tho resting place of the snake 'charmer and nflewoman. The crowd thronged in at a shilling per head. A woman with a perambulator hesitated. But the agent of publicity ' will not let a pram, stand in the way of profit. "Come right in, madam," he cries. "There's lots of room for you and the pram." Then as the mother came forward, ho added : "Bring up a child' fn the way it" should walk, lot it sco snakes before it ' can talk — and never afterwards !" This sally caused a shout of laughter. Further along eastward a well-known follower .of the frivolous was coaxing youngsters to nave "just 'a 'few shies" at his grotesque figure-heads. The fashionably-dressed mouthpiece of a giantess was a centre of attraction. He had a flow of talk that lost nothing in picturesqpesness. He described the "lady within" as "towering jciountings high above her fellows," as having "a voice that outrivalled a Melba or even a Clara Butt," and as shaming any sweet-toned tenor. He also told how, a, matter of eleven years ago, when Rudvaid Kipling ajld Itidoi- Haggard' were in South Africa, they went into a show "just like this," and were so pleased that they drank the health of the lady -within with great joy. "It should ha\e been beer," cried a wa<* from the crowd. °

Mr. "M'Millan, District Roads Engineer, and-iMr. Home, of the Roads Department, are exploring the upper reaches of the Wairoa River, to consider \he possibility of snagging and blasting the rapids, to allow small craft to run to the Reinga Falls. ... -j , „,,., j - At Naseby yesterday David 3t',Conochie, jun.,' was " charged' - witTf'" Ti'kvinff sent, at Middleman*, oh 21st January" a letter, knowing the contents thereof^ to Henry > Bruhnr v farmer, of Hyde threatening to- kill him. V?as committed for trial at Duiiedin.