DASTARDLY ACT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20380, 11 April 1928, Page 10

DASTARDLY ACT.

CROWDED PICTURE THEATRE. EFFORT TO CAUSE PANIC. (From Our °wn Correspondent.) SYDNEY, April 5. A dastardly act was committed at a suburban picture theatre in Sydney last Saturday night, when an endeavour was made to create a panic by throwing into the theatre a sack saturated with benzine and to which a match had been applied. The theatre was crowded with 1400 people. At 10 minutes past 8 o’clock the theatre was in darkness and the programme was proceeding as usual, when there was a sudden cry of “'Fire! Fire! ” from a section of the audience. Many people rose in their seats in readiness to leave the theatre, and very soon great excitement prevailed. There seemed to be every likelihood that serious panic would follow, for women were already screaming, and there seemed to be danger of a stampede to tho exits. The manager of the theatre and his staff were quick to realise the danger, and the need for action. The manager sprang to the platform and calmed the people by telling them that there was no danger. "He urged them to retain their seats. So insistent was he and so confident did his voice sound that he ultimately assured even the timid that their alarm was unjustified. Those who had left their seats, soon returned, and in less than five minutes complete order had been restored. The cause of the disturbance was only then discovered. The sacking was still burning and was emitting dense volmes of smoke. Fortunately, when thrown through the window tho sacking landed in one of the side isles, and did not come in contact with any of the audience. As a matter of fact, several boys were able to stamp out the blaze and after a time the programme was proceeded with. All efforts by the police to discover the perpetrators of the outrage failed.