SHOW CHAT

Southland Times, Issue 21264, 10 December 1930, Page 8

SHOW CHAT

The Odds were Too Great. “I am here to advertise. Look, here’s a,bundle of samples, I am throwing them away. They .are. good pencils. Just hold up your hands, and I will .throw them to you. Oh, wait a minute,” cried the perspiring salesman, “here’s a man with both hands up and his mouth open. Sir, the odds in your favour are too great, you had better scratch two of your starters.”

Recovery Not Expected. “Oh the poor man, they have taken him away on a stretcher. What happened'!” the sweet young tiling asked. “He’s only a newspaper reporter,” said her escort. “He was standing talking to two gentlemen, both Scotsman, when one of them discovered he was out of cigarettes and asked the reporter for one. Before the reporter could reply, the Scotsman’s companion passed him a full tin and told him to keep the lot, he had plenty more.”

Strenuous Wrestling. Wrestling does not appear to have caught on in Invercargill, but if the bouts at the theatre were as willing as one witnessed on the showgrounds yesterday, then it would certainly go ahead. Anton Koolman, lightweight champion of Esthonia, challenged all comers and he was taken up by a Dunedin resident named Johnson. The two rounds were of four minutes each and Johnson was to receive £2 if he stayed the distance. Right from the word go it was fast and exciting, first one then the other having the advantage. The first round ended with Koolman suffering greatly in the splits. The pace did not slacken and at the end neither man had secured a fall. Koolman’s great cleverness was offset by the superior strength of Johnson, but it was a thrilling bout. It was too hot for wrestling, or anything else, and the £2 was well earned. Radio Club Assists. Arrangements were yesterday made by the Southland Radio Club to broadcast from the showground the result of the various judging events and competitions. Such action was greatly appreciated by listenersin, especially those in the country who were unable to make the trip to the show. It is the intention of the club to again broadcast results to-day. * » . » * An Interesting Lecturette. After Mr H. E. B. Watson, of Christchurch, had completed his judging in the Jersey cattle section yesterday, he arranged for several of the animals to be brought into the ring. Here a large following of breeders listened with interest to Mr Watson's lecturette on the characteristics most desirable in Jerseys, the judge supplementing his remarks by actual demonstrations and comparisons with the different animals. At the close of Mr Watson’s comments, a breeder, on behalf of the crowd, expressed the pleasure they all felt at the judge’s courtesy in so readily answering questions put to him and for his illuminating advice on the breed generally, a hearty vote of thanks being carriel by acclamation. ■** * * What a Giant Wears. The only articles of attire worn by Johan Aasen, the American giant, which are not made to order are his handkerchief and his collar studs. He takes an 8} size in hats, a 191 collar and a size 20 in boots. His chest measurement is sft lin and it takes 84 yards to make a suit. Johan Aasen is as tall sitting down as an ordinary man is. standing up. He can take a man sft j 6in tall under his outstretched arms. * * * An Actor Giant. Johan Aasen, one of the giants being exhibited at the Show, is a moving picture actor of some note. He starred with Harold Lloyd in “Why Worry” and will be well known as “Tiny” in Our Gang. He was also the policeman in “Legionnaires of Faris.” Useless as Assistant. That it does not pay to arrive too early at the showgrounds on judging day was the conviction forced upon one reporter yesterday. As he strolled near the sheep pens some of the animals which were being penned broke loose and he was called upon to assist. Directions were hurled at him from all quarters, but by no chance did he do the right thing. He got off the horizon as quickly as possible, but had not gone 50 yards before an escaped bull charged at him. Again he was urged by stewards to render assistance and again he failed to divert the bull in the right direction. Determined to reach the haven of the Press room he hurred along the lane between the sideshows, but even then he was not

out of trouble, for a motor lorry did its best to run him down. * * * *

Showmen In Majority. There have probably never been so many showmen at a Southland Show as this year. At 11 a.m. yesterday by far the greater number of people on the ground were showmen. Even in the afternoon they seemed to be in the majority. With not a few of them business was anything but brisk, but to-day should see an improvement.

Tallest Man

It is by no means an easy matter to state who is the tallest man in the world. At the Show yesterday there were three ejaimants to the honour, the placards outside the tents stating most emphatically that the man inside was the champion,