EXCITING SCENE IN THE QUEENSLAND PARLIAMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 214, 11 September 1886, Page 4

EXCITING SCENE IN THE QUEENSLAND PARLIAMENT.

Danger From tho Electric Light Wire,

A most exciting scene of disorder occurred in Parliament Houee lately, precipitately closing the sitting of tlie Legislative Assembly. Shortly after tea, the Lower House had gone into committequpon the Opium Bill, when fire wasdiecovered at the back of the Opposition benches, just behind Wr Hnlme-Black, the member for Mackay. A wiro connecting with tho electric lighting apparatus cf the Chamber had fucod by Jiiction with another wiro, and hid ignited tho tar and tho coating formed of (juttn percha around ami ineulnting tha wire.. This quickly emitted a strong emel'i and a dense black smoke issuing up thu wall of the Chamber, attracted tha attention o! Mr Mack and a pauenger, who instantly raised an alarm of fire. Cfpon the tmojldoring fire being observed, the house was thrown into consternation, and the members rising from their seats rushed ai rjjs to ascertain the causo of the outbreak. Meanwhile the smell of something burning beneath tho bonches, and theßtifling sensation alarmed tho assembly, which instantly adjourned temporarily, while the cry was raited throughout the building, and tho telephones wero set ringing to communicate with the fire brigade. In a few minutes several or tho members throw off thoir co its and began wrenching tho benches from the floor, and tearing up the carpet to find iheeeat of the fire. Confusion provailed for some time, until tke members of tho tire brigade arrived, and made phort work of the flooring and upholstery about the seats by prizing out boards aod rending them asunder, and soon discovered tho cause of tho outbreak. An adjournmeut being now called for, the cornmit'ee reported progress, end the Houeo adjourned till next day, whon the damage to the chamber was to be repaired. The origin of the fire is apparently to bo attributed to the ignition of the covering around the insulated {wire which lights the building with electricity from the dynamo machine at the Government printing office. The eigineer there noticed that something wag wi\.nsr and stopped the dynamo, consequently the electric light went out in the chamber juat after tea, and gas was substituted.