Violent End to New Year Holiday at Pleasure Resort: The Place Wrecked A serious disturbance, alleged to have been caused by members of the Chinese Fire Brigade whereby, damage to the extent of $20,000 was caused, took place in the Smal] World, an amusement resort inside the Chinese City, shortly after eight o'clock on Tuesday night.
It appears, according to the management of the Small World, that at 7.45 p.m. on the day in question a small conflagration broke out in a photographer's shop at the rear of the Small World—a resort corresponding to the New World and similar establishments in the Settlement—but this was immediately suppressed by the inmates before any actual damage was done The Fire Brigade, however, was notified that there was an outbreak there and turned out at 8.15, half an hour later. Two engines arrived on the spot, carrying 24 mon, 10 of whom, it is state ed, had their fire axes. They entered the place and inquired as to the whereabouts of the outbreak. Upon being told by the doorkeepers that no fire had broken out inside the Small World, the trouble began. It is stated that the firemen began fo smash everything that they could lay hands upon. Twenty-two red-wood tables, 40 rattan chairs and 200 panes of glass were damaged beyond recognition. Several tables and 4 number of chairs were thrown into the street, but fortunately ne damage was done to any of the numerous passers-by who immediately dived for shelter as soon as they heard the breaking of glass.
Going to the east wing, the men are reported to have continued their work of destruction. Here they smashed all the decorations, tore down trees, ete., which had only been installed a few days before the Chinese New Year.
Returning to the main hall, they started to turn the hose upon the amusement-seekers, many of whorl were women and children. This ever, they removed the nozzles from the hose which they immediately proceeded to chop to pieces. They then went into the amusement hall and began hacking 2% the stage with their axes, and throwing chairs about There was a general panic and rush for the doors, but fortunately nobody was injured.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.