BEAUTY BEATS FIRE

Evening Star, Issue 19386, 21 October 1926, Page 9

BEAUTY BEATS FIRE

LATEST THING IN CROWDS Alob psychology is an _ interesting study. Crowds gather quickly in the main street of a city; there are a hundred and one things which bring people together in hundreds in a few minutes.

The latest thing in crowds was seen in the heart of the city shortly_ before 2 o’clock to-day. Two of the city lire department’s big motor engines tore from High street into Princes street and stopped before the largo premises of Messrs, Brown, Ewing, and tin., opposite the Old Post Office. People cannot resist the fascination of a mo, :;nl within a few moments a crowd seemed to come from nowhere. The crowd at the fire promised to grow, hut suddenly and quickly its numbers diminished. For once the dainor of the fire brigade, with its shining engines and hose, and the excitement of a fire failed to bold undivided attention. There was suong opposition in the field. People drifted towards the entrance of the Grand Hotel, and in a few moments there were four times as many spectators at the hotel entrance than at the Ire. But what was the cause of ibis desertion? A motor car standing on the street outside the entrance soon gave the clue. It was adorned with red ribbons, meaning that Miss Canterbury and her attendant of tho beauty competition were about to take .a ride. The numbers swelled until she npnearo.i, and necks were strained to get a better view.

For once a fire had failed to hold a crowd.