AT THE SHOW

Gisborne Times, Volume LXI, Issue 9848, 29 October 1924, Page 4

AT THE SHOW

AMONG THE SIDE-SHOWS FUN OF THE FAIR. (Published By Arrangement) The side-shows this year are more numerous than for many years, and the public should be amused in every possible way*: Death-defying aerial torpedo acts, wire walkers, lion and tiger taming acts, boneless wonders, freak animals, the famous Molly, tho almost human orang-outang, a monkey zoo, a Ghurka who treads about on broken glass as if lie enjoyed it, strange and almost unheard of animals all were there in abundance, and in addition were numerous dart shows, skittles, fancy stalls, etc. In fact, the amusement portion of the show has never been better catered for, and it is pleasing to note that all the side-show people reported good business yesterday.

AFRICANDEIt’S PER EGRMINO WILD BEASTS. DAVE MEEK IN’S LIONS AND TIGERS. Undoubtedly two of the best shows ever seen in Gisborne are run by Dave I Meekin, well-known -to boxers of this 1 town especially, for Mr. Meekin is a ' pugilist of more than the average \ reputation. His last public appearj attee here was some three years ago i when he was one of the seconds In : Colin Bell’s corner, when the A astral- ' ian champion met Tom Hc-eney in the historic contest which is spoken of to l this day. Dave Meekin is ex-cham-pion or the Orient, and also exi heavyweight champion of Africa. Alj together in his ring career lie lias takj c-n part in 300 contests. On this oe~ } casion, however, he is in another ring, i with strong iron bars instead of stout | rope, and he has no human opponent, j Dave Meekin’s new role is that of lion ' and tiger tamer_ and a more- thrilling • performance it is not possible to imi agine. Five lions and "two tigers, at | the command of the trainc-r. take seats round the ring are seen in different poises, see-saw, dine with the trainer at a table, and leap over ob- ! Stacies eight and nine feet in height. | I lie .n- I'lorrnance concludes v.uth one I particularly fierce lion being made to ; leap through a hoop of fire/ Through- , out the rot the trainer carries his fife ■ in his hands, for the huge brutes 1 glower and snarl and roar continuously. _ _ The performance is indeed a thrilling one, ar.tf on the conclusion of j each session yesterday there were ! sighs ci/rtlief from the crowded audiI cnees when tiie trainer emerged, ur- ; scathed. In an adjoining tent - may he I seen a huge ai.l-oattr with its s’xteeni inch tongue, and an arniadilio, two : animals seldom seen in captivity, i r J hese performances will he repeated all dav to-dav.

| GODFREY'S BONELESS MAIiVELSMOLLY THE ALAICST HUMAN On AN G -Uli AN G. Two great shows v. luck should not be nusscU are lyoanev s noueitss : ->iai \ ms anu ALoiiy tne inmost numuu i orang-outang. The Goaiery act is I kea&ed o y c-ncie Harrs, v.nu per- . rciiiis on a pair or sues, h-s work ; caus-ng shneks of joy as re cleverly • balanced. Tiie Boneicss Atai»eis are, inueeci, vreu-namecl. tne i&muy computes kittle Hiine, the Human Frog j Miss Dolly, contortionist: La lie Dear the Baby Wonder, wiio parjorms on the h.gii trapeze and the su» er thread

without the aid of nets ; jvLss Alaieu, a talented T tenon danseuse in. unique novelty dancing: Ai.ss Maisie, whose speciality is hana baianc.ng and the Queen, ADss Gwen, who is c-ia.med to be the most unique and clever acrobat' ever sc-eu in New Zealand. Throughout the day the huge tent was continuously crowded, and th&jjf show will be oi.e- of the most popular on the ground to-day. “Molly,” the almost human orangoutang, snouia be Visited by everyone on tne ground to-aay, lor never was tiie muck-discussed. muss.ng Link brought so near to the minds or people Molly is a large animal, who hues practically everything but talk. Eiie laughs, cresses herself, walks a tight rope, and shakes lianas with the public. ; in fact appears to c'o everything possible suggested by her trainer. File is of a friendly disposer'oil, particularly with children. “Molly is a remarkable animal in every way. The owner, Air Fox, owns 22 monkeys altogether, and over a dozen are m a special zoo on the ground iu the same tent with "Molly.’ 5

A REMARKABLE FREAK

One of the most popular attractions yesterday was a remarkable Freak of Nature in the shape of a Half-Horse and Half-Deer. This unique animal is being exhibited by Mr F. Barclay, of Taranaki.

The mother was a piebald mare, the sire being- Jersey, the trotter. The mother was owned by the caretaker of the Stratford racecourse, Mr t J. McKie, M.R.C.V.S., of Wellington in an official certificate, states: “I have this day, at the request of Mr F. Barclay, examined the most extraordinary freak of Nature that I have seen in the course of my veterinary experience, being that of a fcal built cut of all proportion and an eye situated in the middle of the forehead, four times the size of the normal eye. and showing unmistakably the hide of a stag. Thi,s is a very unique specimen and fit for exhibition in any part of the world.*’

MARANO BROS. BIG ACT

THE FLYING TORPEDO

A huge marquee, the largest seen on the Show Grounds, is the setting for one of the most spectacular performances in Gisborne, in fact one of the greatest acts yet staged hi any of the world's capitals. TlnVTs the Marano Bros. Flying Torpedo, a death-defying sensational performance that literally thrilled every member of the huge audience yesterday. The -Maranos. two well-set and sturdy Rumanian gymnasts, opened •By one performer balancing a 25-ft polo while the other climbed to the top and performed various acrobatic feats. A 30ft. pole followed and stilt / more daring stunts were undertaken with an ease that bespoke every confidence. The Alton Sisters were seen in a wire-walking act-, in which the performers appeared to be at home on the thin strand quite as much as the everyday person’s on solid earth. Tho most sensational act was tnen staged. A huge steel structure acted as a centre on which another steel structure was balanced. At one end of the. latter was a torpedo-shaped. beat in which sat an aviator, while at the other end wias a steel anchor, io this anchor one of t!;o Maronos affixed himself, and a. motor set in action the horizontal steel structure vTreli revolved round and round, at an cnoiincus rate until at times it was hardly visible. Marano at his end held qn by his 'arms, one leg, then two, m fact at times ho seemed to have no grip at all. while he audience watched with amazement. The pejfoimnhce concluded with- the. gvmna»t nnvMUng two flags and hanging on by bis feet. .Tho act is undoubtedly one of the most sensational yet seen in; Gisborne.