EXCITING EXPERIENCE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8759, 9 March 1907, Page 2

EXCITING EXPERIENCE.

Press Association—Copyright. ! ' Melbourne, March 8. > Twelve hundred persons who assembled at Williamstown Gardens reserve to witness a fireworks display had an exciting experience. A qantity of fireworks was stored under the platform round which the audience was standing, when someone excitedly shouted “the comet.” Almost simultaneously,- in quick succession, there were explosions and clouds of smoke. There was then a scene of wild excitement, everyone shouting “the comet.’’ ; The majority, including the band, fled ; others lay flat on the ground. Eoqkets and other fireworks started from under the platform and chased the terrified people in all directions, whilst various colored fires added conviction that the earth was passing through tho tail of Mattancce’s comet. One man was hit by a rocket stick and rendered unconscious; another had his boxer hat transfixed, and a third rocket started a fire in a house. Numbers of women fainted, and children screamed with terror.'

Some boys created the panic by prematurely firing the fireworks beneath the platonn.