CIRCUS IN TOWN

Northern Advocate, 23 March 1934, Page 2

CIRCUS IN TOWN

| SIDELIGHTS OF SHOW. i | I-1 F K IN BIG TENTS. | MEG E UN DEETAKJNG 1 \ VOLV E 1). i 1 — . An elephant old as the history ot civilisation in Now Zealand, cropping,' Scotch thistles; Ion" interesting lookin" waggons containing animals train all parts of the world; a cosmopolitan array of women and men representing a miniature League of Nations; the ' whole conveying an atmosphere which, keeps ns always young—the circus has comc to town. Fifty-six years have elapsed since Mr Philip Wirth, who is managing affairs in Whangarei today, and his throe brothers, founded their circus, I which in a short span of time became ihe best known of its kind in Australia and New Zealand. That position it still holds unchallenged today. Others, including Fitzgerald’s, of honoured memory, have come and gone, but Wirth’s is like the brook. When depression arrived, the management decided that if the circus w r as o live, a bold and vigorous policy of advancement would need to be followed. Instead of cutting down, Wirth’s i uilt nji so that a public which had lost confidence in many things would -till be drawn to the lug show. In IP2O there were Id cages of wild animals, many collected during the world’s tour extending over six years, made by the circus in the early part of this century. Today there are 14 •ages. When Wirth’s first played in baddy's Market, Sydney, in IS7S, the ,vhole troupe comprised less than a dozen, of which the Wirth Bros, formal the band. The establishment now is 112 strong, and the weekly wages

bill is £4OB. Then- interesting facts :m<l many others were gleaned by a reporter in conversation with .Mr Philip Wirth junior this ■morning. A circus never rests. Last night, after playing to a good house at Tvawakawa, a departure was made for Wliangarei at 3.30, and the train arrived heie at 0 a.m. Mr Wirth was still sleeping at 0.30 and although awakened for the interview, was in high good humour. "It is often said that a circus takes ;• great deal out of a town, ; ’ said Mr Wirth, "but they forget ■what wo leave. Our daily running eosts are £175. Travelling on the railway costs us 22/6 per mile, but we are hoping for a reduction to £l. To tour from Auckland to Kawakawa and back the rail charge was £3S4. When a circus is in town, country people from 50 and 60 miles distant come in, and naturally make purchases, so that the shop people, who sometimes complain, often profit to the extent of 10/ whereas wc take perhaps 5/. Wirth’s never take money from a country; it keeps it in constant, circulation. The elephants eat Bewt, of hay daily, the- lions, tigers and other animals of the zoo, consume HOlbs. of meat; the horses four bags of chaff and two of bran; the monkeys are given the best of fruit and vegetables, and then,of course there, are

all the people to feed. We never bring i food .with, us unless our 'advance agent instructs that suitable supplies will not be available.” ■The circus train itself . was the centre of much interest this morning. It comprises nine improvised sleeping carriages for the accommodation of artists and workingmen; five elephant trucks to hold seven beasts; 14 cages of. wild animals; four horse trucks- containing the performing equincs; and twelve trucks containing the paraphenalia—tents, lighting plants, seating etc. Two marquees are always carried in case of damage through a blow down. It being Wirth’s proud boast that they have never disappointed the public. The marquees are capable of accommodating 2500 people. Canvas a3id rope for one purchased recently cost £950. • Elephants, found to be the cheapest and best form of haulage power, arc used for all heavy transport, and the Inigo animals were seen this morning shifting the gear from the railway yards to the show site. Apparently with no effort whatsoever one was pushing a skip of trucks with her trunk. Females are used, the male of the species being too savage and treacherous tor. this type of work. When a rush job is required the task is assigned to Princess Alice, now .147 years old, who was obtained from Barnum’s in 190.1 when Wirth’s was in England on the world tour. When the circus packs up immediately after the show prior to departure to open the Auckland season, there should bo a large number of spectators In watch Princess Alice nl work. There usually 1

In the early (lays transport and tiftgenerally was much harder fnr (lie cir- < ns troupes, and Air Philip Wirth, now 70 years of age, ean remember exciting experiences with bushrangers, ihe lireiir gold rush days, ami Ira veiling in wnppnns over half formed roads. On cue occasion in Hie ’eighties Die eirens j was caught in a. Hood, and for a week the company was marooned on the lop of their waggons, while horses collapsed of hunger and were, drowned. Kven today the eirens. performer necessarily leads the most spasmodic, life. “The pnldic must have thrills,” is the principle governing their careers. The star artists, believing that they canned give of (heir best on a full stomach, coniine theitiselves to one meal a day, taken at noon, and a heavy supper before retiring. Xo matter how many performances there might be, a certain period is set aside each (bay for rehearsing new nets” the emphasis always being given on the unusual and speetaenlar. Wirth’s eirens will leave for .Sydney, to open a (our of Australia and Tas-

man in, mi April (i. 'Pin* i* ir*sprif inlmilion is to ret imi to Ww /.('ii land ill Iwo ynnr's rime. .‘'t-’U