EX-RECTOR “ROASTS”

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19899, 30 May 1936, Page 16 (Supplement)

EX-RECTOR “ ROASTS ”

Much disgust was expressed among the great holiday crowds at the latest exhibition by Mr Harold Davidson, the ex-‘Rectbr of Stiffkey, Nor~ folk, says a Blackpool correspondent of the London Daily Mail. He is now exhibited as “roasting" —this process taking place in the same cabinet in which he was formerly shown starving and freezing. As he lay smoking a cigar a little automatic demon prodded at him with a fork. There were nearly 300,000 holidaymakers va-t Blackpool during Easter—a total which easily beat all records. “We cannot interfere if people want to act foolishly. Only if they act in an objectionable manner shall we take active measures," the mayor (Alderman W. Newman) said. “Seen and Forgotten.” “The Blackpool Improvement Act of 1935 was drawn up to put reasonable limits to ‘freak! holiday attrac-

New Sideshow at Blackpool. Holiday Crowds Disgusted.~

tions and states that offensive or objectionable exhibitions will belprohibited. If, in the opinion of the Watch Committee and the Corporation, Mr Davidson’s exhibition comes under this category, steps will be taken at once.

“Personally I do not think that holi-day-makers suffer any moral downfall or feel particularly repulsed by such an attraction. They simply pay their twopences to be amused—and then forget all about it.” Mr D. L. Harbottle, town clerk, stated that the corporation had had no‘official information regarding the ex-rector‘s exhibition. “I am sure that most visitors to Blackpool do not care to see such dis—plays glaringly advertised on the promenade," he added. “On the other hand, the wisest policy for any seaside town wishing to attract visitors is not to impose a series of ‘do not’ rules but rather leave more to the public’s good sense.”