Landen Feb. 24. Among our household geds is a piebald China donkey, rudely shaped and glaringly coloure', his kind-quarters formed into a purple plus Pincushion. He was won as a prize Ina cockshy years ago at some forgotten fair, and, in the miraculous,
has survived two Journeys actors the vray that such things occasionally do, world and I forget how many house-movings.
Bveryone who has ever been to a fair Is familiar with"these amazing shelves. "Most people must have wondered why and where they were ever made. To-day I tracked them fo their origins at the exhibition (in Dorland Hall, Lower Regent Street) of the National Amusement Caterers, Showmen and Allied Trades Association, Actually the exhibition is only. for "the trade." But journalists, like Influenza and the east wind, go everywhere and. the dgorkeoper very kindly and gave me a huge catalogue full of good informa. tion.
The NACSATA, The NACSATA, do not adver-tiza In the fashionable papers, though they have a flourishing monthly paper of their own. (is there a single trade or Industry which "has not)? do not exhibit at the British Indus~ tries Fair or in the eclectic halls of Art in. Industry. Their shops and] factories must be sought in unteshlonable streets" like Houndsditeh, "Tibble's" Road, and Rosebery Ave: nes. "But their produce is to be found in every fair and fun palace from Margate to Blackpool, " from Inverness to the Land's End, They will supply you with anything from a mountain railway to a bit of toffee ("prizes of toffee or confectionery are always popular," says the catalogue) and turnover in money that they represent from year's end to year's end would make the biggest West End theatrical takings look ike a rhinestone ting to Solomon's treasure house.
The catalogue certainly deserves notice, "A historical note tells us that State, 32 award I falrg and!
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.