THE BUCKJUMPERS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIV, Issue 74, 4 April 1910, Page 5

THE BUCKJUMPERS.

The Burton Bros, with their buckjumping outfit, had no cause to quarrel with the support given them by Blenheim on Saturday night. The canvas enclosure, open to the sky, was packed, a great number having to be content with standing room. At the outset Mr Burton had to apologise. They were unlucky in that the time at their disposal to get their "pitch" ship-shape for the performance was all too short. The barricade enclosing the ring was therefore but a slim make-shift, but a good strong barricade will be in place for this evening. For this reason the management did not think it wise to allow Warrigal to be ridden. One of the outlaws, ridden by Mr Burton, took a flying leap over the barricade, which broke, and horse and rider dashed amongst the people, scattering them right and left. One man was thrown down and somewhat dazed, but as far as could be seen was not seriously hurt. Irrespective of the "horsey" part of the show, there are a couple of "turns" which would command attention anywhere. These are the sharp-shooting act of A. W. Barnard and the weight-lifting exhibition of the strong man. One of the brothers Barnard was left behind on the sick list in Wellington, and their act was therefore considerably curtailed. The guns and shooting paraphernalia had also gone a-missing, and Mr A. W. Barnard had to do his snooting with a strange gun obtained in Blenheim. He showed enough, however, in his short turn, to satisfy the most sensation-hungry. He shot at such targets as coins and corks placed in all sorts of positions on his assistant's body, and wound up by shooting the apple off the clown's head, a member of the audience holding a sheet of paper between the marksman and his mark. With his proper tools and his brother's assistance Mr Barnard's performance would be one to remember; as it was on Saturday night it was remarkable. The strong man act of Athol is' also a good turn. After a very interesting exhibition of muscular development, lie swung about such trifling weights as 1801b and 1201b with ease in either hand. He also swung from his teeth a bar bell Weighing lbulb. He raised 1201b above his head with the right arm and in his left hand, he held straight out at the same time 751b. With the bar bell weighing 1801b across his shoulders, two 11 stone men hanging to either end, and 751b suspended from AthoFs teeth, a total weight of close upon 6001b was accounted for. He lay on his back and held up in both hands the 1901b bar bell, the while Mr Burton, weighing 14 stone, sat on the bar. The buck jumpers created a deal of amusement. Two local lads were found on Saturday night who showed ability to stick on, and one of these young fellows will tonight essay the feat of riding Warrigal for a £10----note. The Burtons are fine riders, all their work being done in ordinary English hunting saddles* The show is a good one of its kind, and provides a good night's entertainment. It will be open again to-night.