CIRCUS ON WHEELS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22623, 28 April 1948, Page 4

CIRCUS ON WHEELS

CONVOY TOTALS 15 ELEPHANTS’ SPECIAL MOBILITY ESSENTIAL The mobility of Sole Brothers’ circus enables the complete cast and all the properties to be transported to remote parts of the Dominion to take enterainment to all centres of population. Fifteen vehicles, mostly large trailer wagons, are required for that purpose. The general manager, Mr. Albert Lindsay, said today that a careful watch on maintenance was necessary to keep the circus on wheels. While on the road a breakdown vehicle travelled at the rear of the convoy to render assistance where necessary. Some of the trailers were 40ft. in length when the circus arrived in New Zealand last September and it was necessary to reduce their length to conform to the Transport Department’s requirements in New Zealand. Careful thought had been given to the mode of transporting the two elephants on this occasion. When visiting the Dominion 11 years ago one of the three performing elephants died at Te Kuiti after eating tutu, a poisonous native shrub. An army vehicle has been converted for the use of the elephants this tour and cyclone netting has been carried up and over the high-sided walls of the tray to prevent the elephants reaching out and feeding en roue. Mr. Lindsay said they travelled very well. On any steep pinches and at sharp corners and on a few other occasions it was necessary to off-load the animals temporarily. On arrival in New Zealand the circus landed at Wellington and from there travelled up the Main Trunk to Auckland and Northland. He said they intended to show in Wairoa early next week and shortly would be going into their winter quarters at Auckland for three months. During that , recess certain members of the company would return to Australia and it had been arranged for new members to join the circus at Auckland prior to the recommencement of the tour. The circus will be in the Dominion for another year. The tent now in use by the company originally dost £IOOO and another has been made in New Zealand at a cost of £I4OO to see the tour through.