PETROL FUMES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8182, 25 July 1912, Page 1

PETROL FUMES

SCENE AT A PICTURE SHOW. SPECIAL TO THE 'nTMES." CHRISTCHURCH, July 24. A remarkable scene was witnessed at tie exhibition of ■ the Alexandra Electric Pictures in the Town Hall at Cheviot a few nights ago. The engine used for driving the electric dynamo ‘ was placed in the supper room adjoining the main hall, and the fames from the petrol gradually permeated the whole building. All went well until after the interval, ■ and the first indication of anything being amiss was-at the close of the “Uncle Tom's Cabin" series of. pictures and the death of Uncle Tom. Then, a lady fainted and was carried out. Thinking the pathetic scene had been too much for her nerves, little notice was taken of the incident. Presently, however, she was followed by another and another, until the carryingout business developed into a regular procession.

Some recovered on reaching the fresh air, while others collapsed and were taken into adjoining houses, where restoratives were used to bring them round. Children were affected differently; overpowered by the noxious gas they fell asleep, and lay curled upon the floor. Strange to say. only one side of the hall was affected. Altogether, fully twenty persons either fainted or were taken out of the building in a state of collapse.