Wild West Show.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 515, 7 October 1890, Page 3

Wild West Show.

Having been aware of the enormous difficulties under which Messrs Wirth Bros, labored on their opening night, our representative did not deal with them more severely than by giving a scant notice of the performance. The men were completely worn out by their fatigues, and most of the animals, after being fifty hours on the water, were only landed shortly before the time for the performance to begin. With the unforeseen obstacles that had to be contended against, Mr Wirth decided to put off the opening until tfan following afternoon, but so much dissatisfaction was shown at this resolution that it was abandoned, with the disheartening rtsult known to everyone who was present. Saturday afternoon’s performance was a great improvement, and the circus portion was heartily clapped all through. Th 3 two rings were rather distracting, and those who were in the second seats could not see many of the cleverest feats, performed in the ring opposite the first seats. In the evening there was also a large attendance, many who would not otherwise have gone, just going because their curiosity had been piqued by the de nunciations freely passed on the previous evening’s performance. The circus was again very go~-d, especially the tumbling work, the feats of the lady on ihe slack wire, and the clever performances of Miss Wirth, on horseback. The socalled Wild West Show was exhibited with much better effect, but it is a class of entertainment that never would be very popular in Gisborne The attack on the Deadwood coach is only interesting because real Indians and real cowboys with their “ mustangs ” are engaged in it, and the average colonial who has not read up such works as “The Scalp Hunters,” “Bifle Bangers,” etc., doesn’t care a snap for seeing Indians or cowboys, though something in the scalping line would be considered excitable, or if the Indiana and cowboys were merely represents tions in waxworks they would afford more attraction to the general playgoer. The riding by the cowboys, wonderful as it was,, does not count as a special feature in a stock district wh ; ch contains men nearly if not quite RS good. If some of the cowboys got bucked off it wou’d be more interesting to spectators who like excitement. The hippodrome events would ro well in a larger space, but are devoid of special interest when performed within such a small area. The capture and supposed lynching of the horsethief was very good, and hie sweetheart coming to the rescue gave the incident quite a dramatic touch, but the finish was too abrupt . The chase for a bride was well w ’rth witnessing, and the raid upon the lore cottage and murdering of the owner was an admiiab’e cone’usion of the Show. The lasaroing was certainly the most popular feature of it, and ha* now become all the rage among youthful imitators. The concert following the show on Ratur day night was an entertaining affair, but not on acconnt cf ita merit—if it had any. One gentleman connected with the eiicus was more jolly than discreet, and insinuating whispers went round. Those persons who thought they had been iUtieated because they were not permitted to attend the “ concert ” for the one entrance fee, ought to feel grateful that they were spared the infliction,

THE WILD WEST IN COURT. At the B M. Court on Saturday afternoon tlie Wirth Brothers appeared in a new role in answer to summonses from some of those who had purchased tickets for the previous evening’s entertainment, and had been unable to obtain seats. Although the summonses had been issued and served only shortly before the eases came on, the news travelled quickly, and quite a large crowd were in waiting for the Court doors to be opened. Messrs Tucker and Murphy, J P.’s, occupied the Bench, and Sergeant Bullen acted as clerk of the Court. The first case called on whs that of John Clark v, Wirth Brothers, the summons having been served on Mr Philip Wirth. Mr Lincoln Bees appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Alexander, business manager, represented the circus proprietors. The amount sued for was 10s, the price of two seats, and the defence set up was that there was no contract to supply seats, the ticket being only a means of admission, and that there were seats to be had. The evidence given on the part of the plaintiff, which was very clear and straight forward, was that Mr Clark had bought two tickets from Mr Good, the box at*ent, and in reply to questions the latter hg,d informed him that seats would be kept for those who bought tickets from the box office. Mr Clark had arrived at at the circus at 7.40 p m., and had been told bv an attendant to ro to the right. He went all round and could find no seat, but saw numbers of other people standing. After waiting half an hour he went to the door and demanded a seal or h’B money and a* he onuld get no satisfaction he left the circus. Mr Good was cross-examined by Mr Alexander to show that instructions had been left with h ; m (Mr Good) that, no seats were reserved, but those who bought seats would have the privilege of entering before the tickets were sold at the doors. A copy of the Gisbobne Standard was put in, and this contained an advertisement of the circus with the words “Every person comfortably seated,” and this Mr Clark sp.id had among other things conduced to his buying the ticket. Mr Alexander obj cted that there was no rroof that Wirth Brothers had ordered the advertisement to be inserted. This was however soon forthcoming from one of our reporter* in Court, who, the the question of authority being settled, was tested very severely as tp whether a mistake in the advertisement might not be possible. “ Does it not often occur that mistakes are ■ made in advertisements queried Mr Alexander. “We do not usually go in for that kind of thing I” was the prompt reply, which brought down the Court, and visiblv effected the judicial gravity of their Worships. Mr A’exander himself went into the box and evidence as to the instrpetlons tp the box agent • t£at |here yyaa sufficient room ; and that he himself had seated between and 20 at 9 o’clock, sud could have seated 40 or 50 more easily, “The public,” explained Mr Aulander “are like a lot of sheep,” the by-

standers twittered. “ when one stands, the rest a 1 stand.” Sometimes they stood fr n p3 excitement, but he wouldn’t Itya to that was the cause on J’riday night, They did not guarantee a seat; the only right a ticket would give would he to be let. in. “ And it is that, they were let in that the»p gentlemr n complain of 9“ said tfie Chairman. Mr Alexander hasterpd to reply he did not use the words in the same sense. In erosp-examination Mr Alexander stuck up for his circuß. and said-the show was all it was advertised to be. Taking a fine about romance, genius, etc.. Mr Bees asked if that was trpe. The ’ witness said it'.

was. Askpfl where tjie rorpanpe camo in, be . tnotfght the appearance’of Jack Sutton was romantic, while the Chairman suggested that there appeared to be a good deal of romancing about the seating accommodation. The genius, he said, was in the management; they had genius enough to make money. He would have been willing to return Mr Clark his money bad be applied tp himself, but when he got the summons he was not awsre but that the had seen the ln Worships gave judgment for the plaintiff for the amount claimed, with (h costs of Court and 3a which the bailiff had to pay to get admission to the circus in order to serve tfie summons. It was then agreed that the other amounts should be paid, Mr G. L. Sunderlapd, who claimed 10s, now that tpe principle was established, said that Mr Alexander could hand the amount, with costs 13s, over for the Hospital, which he accordingly did. Mr W. Parnell w a claimant for £§, being the price of four seats and damages, JJp abandoned his claim for damages, and the remainder was paid, Wirth Brothers had in all |d pay £2 lS>s. Mr Alexander thinks the advertisement they will get cheap at the m°ney, This gentleman showed considerable ability in conducting bis case, a fact which was explained by b>» remarking during the progress of the case that he had seven years’ experience of taw;