Panic in a Circus.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4848, 24 July 1884, Page 2

Panic in a Circus.

CHIAEINI'S liIONS AT IT AGAIN ! A panic took place on a recent Saturday night in Chiarini's Circus, which was performing for the last time in Ballarat, at the rear of the Alfred Hall. The circus was packed in eyery part, particularly in the lower priced, seats. At about eight o'clock a start was made with the removal of the tigers, lions, elephants, &c,, to the. railway station.' The cage of lions was; being drawn round the tent in which the' performance, was going on, and had just reached the portion of the tent opposite the 28 seats, when the animals began to toit rery loudly, Tbo lions were within

a foot or two of where the people in the top seats .were sitting, and they'became greatly alarmed. The people evidently laboured under the impression that some of the wild animals had broken loose, and were beneath the seats. Notwithstanding the assurances of the circus proprie* tor, about 1,000 people rushed from their elevated seats in a frantic manner, and several persons were trampled upon. The pejople were quite uncontrollable for about five minutes, during which period several ladies fainted. A large number rushed from the tent, but when they s|W that there was no danger, they returned. The panic then subsided. In the rush a number of people were severely bruited. •—"■, Sydney News." : ;,