A WILD PANIC

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 17 February 1913, Page 5

A WILD PANIC

IX THE TOWN HALL. A FOOLISH CRY OF "FIRE!" STAMPEDE FOR THE DOORS. 'An incident which might have resulted in very serious consequences occurred in the Masterton Town Hall during the picture performance on Saturday night. A picture described as the "Midnight Ghost" was being screened, when a break in the film occurred. As the operator shut off the projecting light, a glimpse was thrown upon tho .screen. This, apparently, caused some hypersensitive person in tho rear of the stalls to raise a crv of "Fire!" There was an immediate stampede tr-om the lower portion of the building. Women, with children in tli> , ir arras, screamed, and rushed with the crowd towards tho doors Two or three women fainted : .n their seats. Tho •orchestra continued playing, tho lights were promptly switched on. and the manager ran hurned'y to rli t » front and assured the large audience, as it moved in excitement towards thu exit, that there was absolutely no can so for alarm. The excitement subsided i;i a few minutes, those who had !e f t the building returned, and the entertainment was continued without further ad" It is fortunate that the stampede iviivh occurred was not a trended with serous consequences. .Trquiries aro being n.<de for the person who gave the foolish nijuii. VVo are assurer! by the innnaiceiricnt of 7,beTown Hall Picture* that, even should a conflagration occur in the operating room, there would be no danger of the fire spreading, as tiie roo-.-i is absolutely lirtproof.