SHOW GROUND SHARPERS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XI, Issue 241, 15 October 1921, Page 4

SHOW GROUND SHARPERS

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Last week the Wellington notes informed us that a request was made to a public body to protect citizens against imitation goods, and that the matter was referred back with the recommendation tha£ it be brought under the notice of the Commissioner of Police. Now, I desiro to call the attention of tho Hawke’s Bay Agricultural Society, and the public to the nuisance which is permitted every show day, year after year, in the presence upon the ground of “authorised frauds,’’ as well ns the more elusive members of the light-fingered fraternity. Now it is up to the authorities to sec that all side-show's, cheap jacks, and games of skill mongers are genuine; that their exhibitions are not manufactured frauds; and that their paraphernalia is true and not capable of fraudulent manipulation, and that darts, air guns, rifles, etc., are correct. Country visitors and unsuspecting townspeople and not to be robbed by thieves, who, go to the show for a day’s enjoyment, operating under the cloak of the Agricultural Society rob the unwary right and left. No one minds paying Is to sec the strong man, etc., but it is a public shame that people should be charged Is to see some sea monster made up of fish skin, money hair and plaster of paris, with the rust of the tacks sticking through the scales. The Maori mummy which is hawked round to these shows should also be investigated and certified by some responsible person. There is a game of skill whereby upon the payment of Is the patron tries W’ith the backward swing of a pendulum ball to knock over a pig and win 2s. The persons responsible should see that these pendulum affairs are rigidly fixed, so that the operator cannot pull the figure out of the perpendicular, as he hands the ball to his victim. I trust this matter will receive attention from the society officials under whose patronage tho public expects a fair days sport. The expects a/fair day’s sport. Tho these slippery dealers, and see they don’t get away with their trickery.—l am ,ete., COUNTRY COUSIN. Hastings, Oct. 15, 1921.