COOPER AND BALLET'S CIRCUS.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1258, 30 March 1878, Page 2

COOPER AND BALLET'S CIRCUS.

This great show an jyed at Asliburfon by two special trains yesterday morning. The tent s were pitched with wonderful rapidity on Baring square, and at 1 p.m. the doors were thrown open to a large audience who were in waiting. As regards the arrival of this show in Christchurch, it may be stated that by dint of strenuous exertions tho site has been prepared for its reception to-day. Tho whole of the paddock has been levelled, banks, and trees removed, an artesian well sunk, gas for some 800 or 900 lights laid on, and indeed an amount of worK done which would hardly be credited by the casual observer. The show arrived by special trains, the principal train, containing tho working staff, arriving at halfpast six o'clock. There was, at the station, a largo crowd of sightseers, in whom each item of the exhibition appeared to arouse fresh ast< n shmerit. The cars containing the wild animals, w d tlie horses, elephants, and other tame a'Hinuls were immediately taken to the ground pr. pared for their reception, and the work of erecting the tents was atonco entered upon. These tents are of immense size and number eight, which may bo brieily described us follows j—No. I, containing elephants, poneys. camels, and "led stock." No. 2, tho menagerie proper, containing oil the vans with tho wild animals, also the "Calliope" or steam pi;tno (by tho way it may be mentioned thai this tent has had its population increased within tho last twenty-four hours by the birth of a lion cub or kitten). No. 3 is the main or '' Ciious" tent. The dimensions of this tent may be gathered from the fact that its circittau'reuco at the top is

200 feet, and that there is an " extension " of 50 feet. No. 4 is the dressing room tent. No. 5 is the side show, in which are exhibited the educated pig*, the snakes, the fire eater, &0. No. 6, which communicates with No. 5, is the concert tent, a large enclosure equal in dimentions to the largest ordinary travelling circus. No. 7is the cooking tint, for in a show so extensive as that of Messrs Cooper and Bailey the item of time forms a considerable one in the matter of convenience as well as expense, and it is found that The services of ihe numerous attendants cannot be spared except for the smallest possible intervals for meals. No. 8 is the stable tent, where the " ring" stud of thirty horses, very beautiful animals, are carefully and comfortably attended to. The circus has been well advertised, but had it not been, the report of the countless crowds who visited it during the day, would be more than sufficient to ensure every one in Christchurch knowing of its whereabouts and of its numerous attractions. The doors will be open this evening at seven o'clock, and the performances in the circus will _be begin at eight, so that visitors will have time to inspect the menagerie, &c, during the interval. After the circus performances those of the "side show" will be given.