PALMERSTON’S “ZOO”

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 175, 25 June 1926, Page 7

PALMERSTON’S “ZOO”

SIX LIONS AT SHOWGROUNDS.

AWAITING SALE BY OWNER. Fow local residents, probably, are aware that for some ten days past there has been in Palmerston North a greater number of lions than is to be found anywhere in New Zealand, except in the Auckland »zoo. Peculiar as such a statement may appear, it is true, and this collection of the “king of beasts” was still on the Showgrounds when a “Standard” reporter made inquiries this morning. Ever since the show, residents in the region cf the Alanawatu A. and P. Association’s property have nightly listened to the intermittent roars of the leonine captives, and not a few people have jocularly hazarded guesses as to' what would be the effect upon an otherwise tranquil suburban quarter should any one of the huge beasts manage to effect an escape. “You may easily imagine from the roaring of the beasts that you are living in Africa,” was a statement made to'the “Standard” representative this morning by one local resident. The lions, which were, brought here in connection with a circus and vaudeville, are in three small cages mounted on light horse-drawn vehicles. • When the cages were drawn np on the grounds after the circus tent was struck on the Monday morning after the show, they attracted the interest of quite a large number of those engaged in clearing up the debris), but individuals seeking a closer glimpse of this unusual exhibit for a small travelling show had their curiosity satisfied in a very short space of time. When one man approached, one or other of the lions would emit a fearsome growl and commence to paw the bars in such manner as to make the cage sway about on its carriage. In most cases, anyone near the spot promptly _ removed to what was deemed a safer distance. Various opinions have been expressed as to the reason why the lions should be kept on the Showgrounds for such a length of time, and it was with the object of elucidating the point that inquiries were made this morning. , The lions are stated to be the property of Airs Baker, the surviving principal of a former well-known circus., Airs Baker is said to have joined with another combination for the Palmerston North Winter Show season, and upon arriving here and finding that the animals had not been unloaded from the railway trucks immediately paid the necessary charges and attended to the transport of the lions to the grounds. _ There was a severanco/of partnership between Mrs Baker and the proprietor of the other circus and vaudeville at the Winter Show, and it is understood that the former is now endeavouring to sell the lions and have them temporarily accommodated 4n the Wellington zoo, she now being in the Empire City with a view to effecting the necessary arrangements. Several of the-beasts aro splendid specimens and the group must be worth quite £6OO or £7OO. The cages aro now parked at the back of one of the sheds by the Pascal street iron fence, and are closely shuttered and covered with tarpaulins. The lions are being fed and cared for by Mrs Baker’s son, who has come down from Auckland to take charge until matters are adjusted. It is definitely stated by the railway authorities that finance is not-.the bar to the removal of the animals from Palmerston North and conjectures on that point are thus set at rest. ’