SCENE ON A SHOWGROUND.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XL, Issue 13230, 12 November 1913, Page 6

SCENE ON A SHOWGROUND.

The romantic calling of making a livelihood by giving something away --for nothing brought trouble to two young men on tlie Paimerston North Showgrounds on Thursday. The pair had an open-air stall from which ono was shouting words to the effect that he hod lines of wutuhes, etc., to advertise. If any bone would hand him a halfcrown he would subsequently return the coin and an article. In a while the sum | was raised to ss, and later to £1. A J small number of young fellows includ- ; ing a hefty Maori, had handed up £1 each, when tho rain which had been threatening for some time began to fall. The man who had been holding the money, vanished, and soon his mate said that he", tooi was off, as it was too wet. The crowd became angry, rushed the stall, and wrecked it. The partner m the business is said to have stood at bay armed with a sword, and escaped being handled. Those who had paid m their pounds took possession of a big trunk containing the watches and other things. Presently there was a tumult outside the secretary's office, there at the door was an excited crowd following m the wake of the box bearers. There were five who claimed to have a pound's interest m the business. It was at first proposed that the five should, divide the contents of the box, but the quintette suggested that tho advice of the police should be obtained. Finally a member of the Agricultural Society took tho names and addresses of the five, and had ths box put m a safe place. Later m the afternoon the "firm" arrived for its "shop," and one of them declared that ho had only received £4, which amount he was \villing to hand over.