COOPER AND BAILEY’S CIRCUS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5318, 12 April 1878, Page 3

COOPER AND BAILEY’S CIRCUS.

“The biggest show in the word,” as; the bills announce it, arrived in the Union Company’s s.s. Wakatipu from Lyttelton at noon yesterday. Public curiosity has been aroused respecting this gigantic' circus and menagerie by an endless variety of large colored prints stuck up on every hoarding and available wall space in town. The advance agents have placarded nearly every small town in the district in a similar manner. On the steamer approaching the wharf the circus band played an inspiriting air, and a crowd of onlookers immediately assembled to see the landing. The steamer’s deck was covered with large cages and other paraphernalia, whilst the horses and other animals were stowed in the hold. The unloading commenced immediately after the vessel come alongside, very heavy tackle being used for'hauling'np : the' large van’s, and in addition to : members ■of . the troupe a number of.other man were employed to assist in discharging the'novel freight. "There are fifty performersi'iia . the “show,” and the menagerie • comprises - the largest wild beast collection that has ever visited these colonies. There are elephants, camels, tigers, zebras, lions, educated'-dogs* performing'-pigs, and a number of other attractions. The tents will be pitched ■in Mr. Martin’s paddock, at the corner of Taranaki and Vivian streets, the first exhibition being given this evening. The Wakatipu will remain in Wellington-until the end of the season, for the purpose of taking the circus on to Auckland. . .... The Lyiidton Times of Wednesday kst thus refers to the closing performances at Christchurch of Cooper and Bailey’s circus and menagerie “ At, the matinee performance yesterday, some 2500 school" children were present, amongst them'being about 1500 from the Christchurch east, main, and' sidd Aohqols, 950 from Christchurch" west, and 6-l from Sheffield. All the children from east owed their treat to the generosity of ai member of the committee, by whom a'cheque’ was given for a lump sum, which Messrs. Cdoper aud Bailey agreed to accept. The sight within the tent, where all the children were seated together, was a particularly striking one, and the performers, as if catching animation from the scene, did their utmost for the amusement of the youngsters. In the evening there was, as a matter of course, a good-audience, although -not- nearly sodargo as on' previous ■ occasions, and it was apparent that the length of the Christchurch season had been pretty accurately estimated. ; Soon after) the performance had been commenced, active! preparations for the departure of ~the company were in progress, and it was in these, details that.the completeness of the arrange-, mentswas clearly shown. By half-past eight 1 o’clock, all the vans containing the animals had been shut up and secured, with the tarpaulins strapped, and the poles placed in post-' tion. Xt the same time the side canvas of the' menagerie tent had been rolled up and stowed; away, all the interior stakes had been drawn,' and the numerous ropes coiled. The ponies, camels, and elephants were duly tethered together, and the latter were enjoying a final, and plentiful feed of oats. The spotted dogs, ■ which have attracted so much attention on account, of the strong friendship existing be-’ tween them and the elephants, were fully conscious of the near departure, and were indulging in airlands, of antics with their hu"e-companions. Within sixteen minutes •from the commencement of operations* all the animals were out! of the tents, and most of them were on their way to the. station. The elephants and camels walkeddown by way of Manchester-street, and at the tank opposite the Borough Hotel a. halt was made for a last ‘ nip.’ At the railway station truckswere in readiness, the loading up taking place from the unfinished passenger platform. As there was a considerable amount of lumber lying 'about*, and the lights were conspicuous only”by their scarcity, the patience of those in 'charge of -the animals was severely taxed, but their work was admirably accomplished. The elephant known, as Titania was employed running the vans on to the railway trucks.' So soon as the performance at the circus was ended, the large tent was also struck, and in comparatively short space of time every vestige of the great show had disappeared. Of the uniform courtesy, both of the proprietors and their officials, many kindly recollections will be cherished. Without for one riioment desiring to make invidious comparisons, special mention in this respect may well be made of Professor Johnson, who had charge of the menagerie department,. and of Mr. Charles Warner, to whom the elephants are entrusted.”