THE COMET

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13847, 9 March 1907, Page 9

THE COMET

PANIC AT A FIREWORKS-DISPLAY.) WILD EXCITEMENT. AN EXTRAORDINARY SCENE. PrtM Association—By Telegraph—Copyright, MELBOURNE, Miircli 8. (Received March 8, at 1.10 a.m.) About, 1200 people who assembled" in 'tho Williamstown Gardens roseraj to witness a fireworks 'display had au exciting experience. A quantity of fireworks was stored under the platform .round which tho mulienco was .standing, and smiwons excitedly shouted ''The comet!" Almost simultaneously there was a fllliek sueec-ssion of explosions and clouds of smoke. There was a, scene of vild excitement, everyone shunting "fho comet!" Tho majority, including tho hand, fled, and others lay ilat on tho ground. A rocket and other fireworks started from under tho plat-form, aud chased tJio terror-stricken peoplo in all directions, whilst various coloured lires supported the conviction that the earth was passing through tho tail of Mattcucei's comet. One man was .Lit with t-he '"comet" stick and rendered unconscious, and another had a boxer hat transfixed. A third rocket- started a. firo in a house. Numbers of women fainted and children screamed in terror. Somo boys created a, panic by prematurely firing oft' the fireworks beneath the .platform.