The latest Dunedin sensation is a "haunted swing." The peculiarity of the invention is that while those who are seated on it experience the sensation of moving up and down to such a height that they feel in imminent danger of falling off, they are astonished beyond measure in being assured that all the time they have remained perfectly stationary. The illusion is said to be complete. -Mataura Ensign, 28/5/1895.
A wonderful "sensation" indeed, especially in a city which had never known the moving picture. But what was it?
An attraction at Earl's Court is "The Haunted Swing" which is really a cleverly-managed optical illusion, says an English paper. When the visitors are seated a slight oscillation is imparted to the swing, which oscillation apparently increases every moment, until the visitor finds himself swinging round and round the axle, which is run across the middle of the room. What really happens is that the room itself swings completely round, while the swing only oscillates slightly. The impression on the people seated in the swing is that they are swinging round and round the axle, the illusion being so complete that people are seen to seize the sides of the swing to prevent their being pitched out, whilst some gentlemen quickly thrust their hands into their pockets, for fear that their cash should be strewn all over the room. It will be readily understood that all the objects in the room, from the electric lamp to the innocent-looking hat artfully placed on the chair, are fixed, as are also the pictures on the walls. -Taranaki Herald, 8/12/1894.
Mr J. E. Petherick, well-known here as advance agent for the Dobson-Kennedy and other shows, has been occupying a somewhat prominent position in the Tasmanian Supreme Court at Hobart. He sued the Commissioners for the Tasmanian Exhibition for L100 under the following circumstances: —Petherick was the proprietor of one of the numorous sideshows run in connection with the Exhibition, the said show being known as "The Haunted Swing." Later on the manager, Mr Jules Joubert, let a space to the proprietor of a rival show, "The Enchanted Swing," and so, Mr Petherick contended, violated the latter's special rights. The case ended in a verdict for L50 for plaintiff. Some of the evidence was distinctly amusing. Asked if he told the visitors there was no danger in the Swing Mr Petherick jocularly remarked — "I tell them all kinds of things. Sometimes I say they will be like a comet whirling through space — (laughter) — that twelve ladies and gentlemen can be launched into eternity at the same moment — (renewed laughter) — that two cemeteries and five hospitals are already filled, and that the average is thirteen funerals a day." — (Roars of laughter.) -NZ Mail, 12/4/1895.
The Haunted Swing, which created such a sensation in Australia and the Hobart Exhibition, will be exhibited here shortly. The manager has arrived in town, and is making preparation for its reception. -Evening Star, 11/5/1895.
THE HAUNTED SWING.
A SENSATION IN AMUSEMENTS.
THE HAUNTED SWING.
Watch Papers for Opening Date. -Evening Star, 11/5/1895.
The proprietors of the Haunted Swing (of which fuller particulars will be found in our advertising column) are having a building speedily erected in Hannover street. The “swing” opens on Saturday night. Both in Melbourne and Sydney, we are informed, it was crowded day and night; while at the Hobart Exhibition it was one of the chief attractions, and we have no doubt it will be well patronised during its short stay in Dunedin. -Evening Star, 14/5/1895.
Late Advertisements
A SENSATION IN AMUSEMENTS.
THE HAUNTED SWING.
Of all the applications of physical science to the purposes of public entertainment, and worthy to stand side by side with remarkable discoveries of Edison and other great inventors, none is more remarkable or more instantly effective than the principle involved in and the impression conveyed to the mind and senses by THE HAUNTED SWING. Imagine a large furnished parlor containing, suspended from its ceiling, a large swing capable of accommodating from six to ten persons. You walk into the room, seat yourself in the awing, when it begins to swing to and fro in the orthodox fashion it swings higher and higher, gradually mounting until, at the critical moment, it goes clear upside-down and all the way over. You hang on, holding your breath, until the culminating point, and when you are told that neither you nor the swing has moved one single inch you will not believe it; but it is true all the same, and the experience is indescribable.
Admission — SlX PENCE.
LOCATION: HANOVER STREET, CORNER GEORGE STREET.
OPENING SATURDAY NIGHT. -Evening Star, 14/5/1895.
The Haunted Swing is now ready, but, owing to the bad weather prevailing, the management have decided to postpone their opening till tomorrow night. -Evening Star, 20/5/1895.
The haunted swing will be available to-night as an amusement for the Dunedin public, and if the experience of the proprietors during their stay in this City is similar to that of those who have run the show in other places we shall pretty well all be going or wanting to go to be illusionised. Differing from illusions in general, the working of the haunted swing is not a mystery. You take your seat and swing higher and higher till seemingly you turn head over heels. That is the apparent result, though all the time everybody knows that as a matter of fact it is the room and not the swing that moves. This knowledge, however, does not interfere with the enjoyment, such as it is, derivable from the sensation produced, and those who go generally desire to repeat the visit and once more surrender themselves to the deception. The affair is being fixed up in Hanover street, just round the corner of the main thoroughfare. -Evening Star, 21/5/1895.
The haunted swing in Hanover street was well patronised last night and this afternoon it is fast working its way into public favor, and the management will no doubt reap a rich reward from it before they leave. The sensation is a most peculiar one, and having once experienced it people are not satisfied until they have had a second swing. It will he open to the public to-night. -Evening Star, 22/5/1895.
The "haunted swing," which is a somewhat remarkable illusion, was set in motion last evening on the vacant site in Hanover street (near George street) where it has been located. The swing is suspended from the centre of a neatly fitted-up room, and several persons seat themselves in a double row. At first the swing appears to move gently backward and forward, gradually accelerating its speed, as in the case of an ordinary, swing, until it culminates in such an angle that the occupants of the seats are disposed to become alarmed lest they should be precipitated from their places and sustain dangerous or nasty falls. That is where the humour of the situation and the cleverness of the illusion come in, for as a matter of fact the swing does not move in the slightest degree and the occupants sit still the whole time.It is not for us to say how the illusion, which is an American scientific "notion," is managed. It is for the public to experience the peculiar and interesting and, some say, delightful, sensation of seemingly standing on their heads, whereas they are actually occupying comfortable seats on a stationary swing, and to endeavour to discover for themselves the secret of the business. -Otago Daily Times, 22/5/1895.
The haunted swing, situated in Hanover street, appears to have "caught on," large crowds having attended during the past weekend. Those who patronise the swing pronounce the illusion to be complete, and many return again and again determined to solve the mystery. -Otago Daily Times, 28/5/1895.
The haunted swing in Hanover street still continues to do good business, large crowds patronising it both in the afternoon and evening. We can safely recommend the novelty to our readers. There is not the slightest fear of danger, while the sensation is pleasing to all. -Evening Star, 31/5/1895.
"The Haunted Swing," the latest American illusion, which has attracted so much attention in Christchurch and Dunedin during the last few months, is advertised for sale in another part of this issue, on account of the owner being unable to travel. Particulars as to price, etc., may be obtained from C. McMahon, P.O. Dunedin. -Auckland Star, 10/6/1895.
It is possible that McMahon was the proprietor of the swing and sold to Mr Eustace Woods. Or he might have been the agent of Mr Woods, who features in the following advertisement.
GOVERNMENT NOTICES.
IN THE MAGISTRATE'S COURT, DUNEDIN.
Under Warrant of Distress.
HARRY J. LUCAS (Plaintiff)
And EUSTACE F. WOODS (Defendant).
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that THE GOODS AND CHATTELS of the abovenamed Defendant, consisting of the HAUNTED SWING, will be sold by public auction, at the rooms of JAMES SAMSON AND CO., Dowling street, on WEDNESDAY, the 4th day of September, 1895, at 12 o'clock, unless the warrant be sooner satisfied.
Terms cash.
W. B. DODSON, Bailiff. -Evening Star, 3/9/1895.
The Haunted Swing, or a haunted swing, appeared at a Fire Brigade carnival in Dunedin in 1904 and the illusion was a sideshow at similar attractions until the second decade of the 20th century. A Wikipedia article on the swing can be found here.
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