Page 7 Advertisements Column 3

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2664, 20 November 1909, Page 7

In a recent English paper —“Kinematograpli Weekly’’ —'there is editorial criticism of the manner in which newspapers treat “occasional mishaps” which occur during the progress of picture shows. As an example, one case is mentioned in which an alarm of fire was given “after the flames in the box had been extinguished.” A panic resulted,, and the incident ended fatally. Next papers came out with headlines such as “Cinematograph Tragedy,” “Bioscope Show' Panic,” while one paper went so far as to publish photographs of the injured. The “Weekly” goes on to say, with full realisation of the gravity of the statement, that the responsibility for the lives lost at picture shows must mainly rest with those papers which, by exaggerating fire incidents, have created iiT tlie minds of the public such an idea of the inflammability of the film, that at the least sign of anything wrong they lose their heads, rush for the doors, and lives are lost. That the influence of the press counts for much is shown by the fact .that in Australia, where the newspapers have familiarised the people with the perfectly safe nature of a properly managed machine, on more than one occasion when a film has caught fire the audience has waited without the least sign of panic for the entertainment to be resumed. New Zealand has been practically free from outbreaks of fire at kinematograph entertainments, but if -one did occur the public present might rest assured that there would he little likelihood of the flames spreading beyond the box. The best panic averters are; however, good operators and properly-constructed operating chambers.