DASTARDLY ACT

Hokitika Guardian, 17 April 1928, Page 4

DASTARDLY ACT

EFFORT TO CAUSE PANIC. SYDNEY. April 5. A dastardly act was committed at a suburban picture theatre in Sydney last Saturday night, when an endeavour was mad:- to create a panic by throwing into {lie theatre a sack saturated with benzine, and to which a match had been applied.

The theatre was crowded with 1-IiKI people. At 10 minutes past 8 o'clock the theatre was in darkness and the

programme was proceeding as ttstta when there was a sudden cry of “Fire

Fire!'’ from a section of the audience. Many people rose in their seats, in readiness to leave the theatre, and very soon great excitement prevailed. There seemed every likelihood that serious panic would follow, for women were already screaming, and there seemed to he danger of a .stampede to the exits.

The manager of the theatre and his stall' were quick to realise the danger anti ti c need for action. The manager sprang to th > platform and calmed the people by telling them that there was no danger. lie urged them ft retain there seats. So insistent was lie, ami so eonlidetit did his voire sound, that he ultimately assured even the timid that their alarm was unjustified. Those who had left their seals soon returned, and in le-s t! in live minutes complete order laid been restored. The cause of the disturbance was only then ■list over -d. The sacking was still burning anil was emitting dense volumes of smoke. Fortunately, when thrown through the window the sacking landed in one of the side aisles and did not (tune in contact with any of the audience. As a matter of fact several hoys were able to stamp out the blaze, and after a lime the programme was proceeded with. All effort by the police to discover the perpetrators of the outrage failed.