THE RELICQUORIUM COMPANY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9141, 9 May 1908, Page 2

THE RELICQUORIUM COMPANY.

A case which has afforded some amusement in Wellington was that in which A. F. Davies sued P. J. Murtagh for £3O, money paid to Murtagh for freaks as alleged on false representations. The statement of claim sets forth (the Dominion reports) that on February 14th plaintiff purchased from defendant a freak foal'aud two calves, a tent and pole, for £2OO. The sum of £3O was handed over the same day in part payment, the balance of £l7O being secured by a promissory note payable on April 10th, 1908. It was alleged that defendant represented to plaintiff that the foal and calves were a show worth from £7O to £ll3 a week, and that he had taken snch sums by exhibiting the freaks in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington. These representations, which it was alleged were knosvu to defendant to be induced plaintiff to make the purchase. Plaintiff, who said he had had no previons experience in the show line, swore that defendant represented to him that he had taken £97 with the show in one da> in Wellington, and £7O a day for fourteen days at Auckland. Defendant also said he had had been offered £750 for the show, and that the only reason he would sell to plaintiff was that ho liked him. Derek Mannersley, theatrical manager, in his evidence stated he did not “take in” the stories Murtagh told about his takings. Witness told Davies that they were absurd. Witness went out on tour for Davies in charge of the show of freaks. He was responsible for the drawing up of the dodger (produced), which announced that “The Great Relicquorium Company” was on tour, and intended introducing the latest scientific marvel of the age, “The Hydramythicns,” and offering £IOOO reward to the members of any scientific institution in Australasia, who could solve the origin of Biis great prehistoric monster. The two-headed calf was described as the only genuine twoheaded calf known to the scientific world since the deluge, and the smallest calf in the world also found a place on the dodger . The show was described as an education to farmers, producers and veterinary surgeons. Witness stood outside the door of the show and announced it as part of Barnnmand Bailey’s great circus, of London and New York. He considered that any man who went into the show business in this country had to exaggerate. Still, she show did not pay. The case is unfinished.