Page 13 Advertisements Column 2

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 5474, 31 December 1904, Page 13

A large State school In New York, caught fire about noon on Wednesday, November 9. There were 2500 pupils inside the building at the time, and a terrible disaster was only prevented by the admirable discipline which the teachers exercised over the frightened children. The school was built as far back as 1846, and the staircases were made of wood. Had the latter caught alight there must have been a repetition of the heart-rend-ing scenes witnessed during the sinking of the General Slocum. As it was, however, the children were formed up and marched down the staircases and out into the open air without one being injured. Once outside, however, the children were seized with panic, and fled wildly through the streets, where the presence of hundreds ot parents just arriving on the scene increased the confusion. Many were knocked down and bruised.