SERIOUS GAS EXPLOSION.

SYMON'S MEMORIAL SHATTERED. A MAN SERIOUSLY INJURED. About ten -minutes to seven on Saturday morning Symon's Memorial, situated at tbe intersection of Hardy and Trafalgar streets, was shattered by an explosion of gas. Five of the City Courcil employees, Messrs R. Kenning, W.*Vefcoe, J. Whiting, Quirk and Green, who had been engaged in the street sweeping operations usually carried on every Saturday morning, were in the vicinity of the Memorial, when a stroog smell of gas was noticed. With the object of discovering the leak, it is stated that Kenning struct a match, 'and an explosion followed, shattering the iron column, and scattering the pieces in all directions, the base of the Memorial only being left in place. Vercoe, who was standing close by, was struck on the back of the head by one of the flying pieces of iron, and sustained severe cuts and abrasions. Dr. Gibbs was summoned and ordered the removal ot the injured man to the Hospital. The others escaped without injury.save that Kenning received a lew scratches. Tbe concussion from the explosion shook the buildings in the vicinity, and residents were considerably startled by tne crash of the shattered column and falling glass. od6 of the windows of the Masonic Hotel was broken by a piece of the shattered column. On being examined at the Hospital, Vercoe was found to be suil'nriGg from severe concussion of the brain, the scalp wound not being severe. The patient, who was delirious, had not regained consciousness up to late yesterday afternoon, but his case is considered hopeful. § Symon's a combined gas lamp and drinking fountain, which was placed upon a massive cast iron base — was erected in 1880 at a cost of about £170 by a unmber of personal friends of the late Mr John Symons as a memorial to that gentleman, who was a leading merchant in this city in the early days.