A “WILD WEST” SHOW.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3451, 3 April 1920, Page 7

A “WILD WEST” SHOW.

RIOTOUS SYDNEY SCENE i AN AMUSING -CONCLUSION. ‘ SYDNEY, hiarch 24. There were extraordinary scenes onl Sydney’s famous showground on Saturday last, when large crowds," resentEul of the poor quality of the performance of a “Wild West” show, which they had gathered to see, took cliarge of the ‘proceedings. Events for some time swayed between ‘ti'a.gecly and farce. « 1 This “Wild West” display was widely adv\el'flisedgl_-.alld fully 30,000; people gathered. They soon began to murmur, and complain that they had: been deceived. The “fiery mustan-gs”' were anything but fiery. on the con-I trary, they seemed to desire nothing so much as a quiet sleep. The “cowboys,” in some inst.ances appeared unable to ride their slow and elderly 4 equines. 5 The growl of the crowd was deepcn."mg when a buckjuniping competition: was announced, and a pessimistic little ; donkey was led forth, -and competitors ; invited to present themselves. About! fifty boys promptly rushed out. This! was too many for those in charge, and they ordered the boys back. The boys l naturally debated the [poin.§, and al Red Indian——t'l*.-e only real “Wildi

'.vc-st” about the sllow——rode among them, and began to use a whip. One Du)’ was struck in the face by the ‘whip; and began to cry. Then pandemonium bro'i~':e loose. 'l:'£undreds of men ran into the ring, surrounded the indiam, dragged him from his horse, and “dealt with him.(’’ A posse of police came to the rescue and eventually got the wretched man away. The struggle. between the crowd and the police was long and fierce, and looked ugly at times.

With the Indian out of the way the temper of the mob- changed. Thousands of young men rushel the corral where the “wild” bulls, horses, and mules were held. The. corral was torn down, and the scared animals rushed out. Women in the J_. grandstand °:~:el‘eanled, and they; shrieked with laughter. In no time all these “wild” bulls were being ridden by yelling youths. The horses were mounted without saddle or bridle and urged to buck——and. there was scarcely :1 buck in them. The paraphernalia of the unhappy “VVild VVest.” men was scattered about. Some of the Merrymakors prancod in chops, and one made a great display with an Inrliall’s headdress. The “wild” bulls. some with as m:.m_v as three rnnn aboard, pranced about excitedly. The boys called them “Pansy.” One bulk did lose control of himself. and slightly gored 8. youth, but most of them were quite well behavcd.

When the fun pulled. «the crowd

good-naturedly helpefl the police to round up the live stock. T'l‘.-Cl'(‘. was sonmthing almost u1n'o:.11 in the sight; of an alleged furious steer: being druggod pl'ol‘es°tin~g by horns and ‘mil’ fo the fio—l'ope, and in an “untanmcd” mule being smacked on the hilldqu:u-tars for daring fo be playful wiflx ‘his: Feet’. Then the crowfl went 'l7;eme_, not so disappointed aft-or all.