EXTRAORDINARY SCENE IN A CIRCUS.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 786, 30 June 1877, Page 3

EXTRAORDINARY SCENE IN A CIRCUS.

Messks Cooper, Baily, and Go's circus season at Newcastle NS Whad a very sensational termination on the 23rd ult. The Newcastle 'Pilot' supplies the following account of a disaster that occurred : — •

" Soon after the lights' had been lit. [and entrance opened, the company began to stream m, About 1000 had gained admision, and were wandering around the big tent admiring* the zoological collection, when Mr Baily saw that the wind jvas rising so rapidly that a crowd could not assemble with safety. He therefore requested his visitors to withdraw, and receive their money at the pay-office. Not discerning the danger they objected, but as there was evidently a gale coming on, he became imperative. Of course he knew what danger was toeing chanced better than his visitors. He ordered his men to stretch a rope across the tent so as to form a cordon, by means of which the people should be compelled to-' seek the entrance. Fortunately he managed to get the tent clear. " Scarcely had he succceeded m doing so when he became aware that the tent must go, and the fastenings were ordered to be loosened and the supports removed. Before this could be effected the gale struck the tent twice, and the second time the monster mass of canvass, that was estimated to be worth about £3000, was forcibly, carried away and split and torn into fractions. Then ensued a scene of confusion. Fortunately, the main staff were on the ground, and each man was m his place. The gale turned over the cage containing the two magnificent lions, and the spring lock fastenings, ordinarily so safe, gave way. The lion was half way out of the cage m a moment, and m another second he and the lioness would have been at liberty, face to face with a frightened confused, crowd of over a thousand persons. Fortunately the keeper was there, and no sooner did the lion's head emerge than Johnson struck him a heavy ' blow with a club. The brute at once drew back, and the keeper threw himself on the door, which at once shut with its usual sharp snap. But quick and timely as the action had been, the lion when struck threw out his claw, and this came down on the keeper's arm, tearing through his heavy clothing, and causing the warm blood to flow. This, indeed, was a narrow escape. Had the two escaped, and the terrified crowd run away, the probability is that there would have been an accident. Johnson, the keeper, has great power over the lions m the cage, but what hispower would have been worth had they been out we can easily guess. Another feature almost boarders on the ludicrous. The split and torn canvas enveloped a baby elephant, and, he was taken away several yards by the force of the gust. He commenced to howl, and the chorus was taken up by the large elephants. This was a warning to the crowd that it was time to clear away. The management ofthe company suffer heavily by the rent and damaged tent, but had the gust come on when several thousand persons were m the circus, there must have been, loss ot life."