Australian News.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XIII, Issue 1081, 27 March 1903, Page 3

Australian News.

AN ALLEGED EXPOSU-E. The announcemnut that- ihi'll.'V Wyatt, who is described as a- " m'arvftlloiiH boy lightning calculator," would expose the " sta^e trick of lightning calculation," filled the Mcl bourne Gaiety Theatre to overflowing on February 23rd. That Wyatt—who 'is apparently ■still in his early 'teens—is at least possessed of an abnormal memory is indicated by his performance '.of reeling off all the figures used at the Inaudi demonstration at the Opera House the previous Saturday night (reports the Age). The audience were asked tosnpply problems. '•'I don't want only simple things," said Wyatt's manager, " give me abstruse problems in interest or proportion, and the boy will work them out." It should be mentioned that Wyatt was blindfolded throughout. A gentleman asked what the interest would be upon £72 5s in 6 years 8 months at 5 per cent. The correct reply was given almost instantly. * Next sevcta rows of figures, each representing hundreds of thousands were called out to Wyatt vertically instead of horizontally, and he immediately supplied the correct total. Then he was asked what '94,736.568 articles at 1 l-16d would cost, and he replied £419,406, 13s 7£d without hesitation. The manager nest said he would expose the stage trick of the calculator being able to call out any number on the blackboard that was pointed out. ' Wyatt named all the figures correctly with a single exception, and the manager explained that the number pointed at was indicated to the calculator by the assistant making a series of sounds by tweaking his finger nails before and while pointing at the figure. Finally the manager, explained the manner in which the day of the week on whicJh any given date fell on was ascertained. This, as is fairly generally known; is by using the golden numbers, and is a trick that can easily be done' by anyone. Young ' Wyatt was accorded an excellent reception. CHINESE OPERA PANIC. During the past month a Chinese opera has been in progress* at the Empire Theatre, Sydney, and on Saturday night the preliminary scene of the first act was being played, when the audience was startled by the cry of " Fire." A scene of confusion followed, and the scrambling and screaming Chinese who formed the audience, made for the doors. Fortunately., the theatre is not very large, otherwise something serious might have happened. As it was three persons were slightly injured, and some 30 seats' had their backs broken off in the scramble for the doors. When the audience had got into the street, it was found that the cause of the cry of fire had originated through the tire brigade practising in the vicinity. It is an interesting fact that, notwithstanding the panic, the opera proceeded as usual, and, within half an hour, the affrighted audience was again in the building.