THE WAIHI EXPLOSION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 67, 19 March 1915, Page 7

THE WAIHI EXPLOSION.

TERRIBLE INJTJB'LE'". (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WAIHJ, Thßrsday. Further particulars re"""".ni'_f, the accident to T. White and C. Ellery. two miners working in a rise in the Grand Junction mine, show that both men were engaged in Berrymaii'b contract, and were at the moment of explosion boring one of a series of holes they had been engaged on during the day. It is supposed that the drill came into contact with a charged -hole, which had previously misfired, and the result was a terrific explosion. The unfortunate man White was literally riddled with pieces of Hying quartz, and the injuries initiated were of & terrible nature. His right eye v_ completely destroyed, while the left eye was *• mutilated that sight will probably not be restored. His upper jaw was fractured, the bone being badly splintered. One side of his mouth was literally blown away, leaving a cavity large enough lor insertion of a man's hand. In addition to this, serious injuries to the tissues of his legs and arms were inflicted.••■ Large pieces of quartz have been extracted, in some instances eight inches away from wliero they entered. His condition was such last night that it was thought he would succumb; it is still critical. Ellery is suffering from a severe laceration of the upper lip, a bole about an inch in circumference having been- made in the mouth. His body all over is punctured with large pieces of quartz. Both men are being treated at the local, hospital. White is single, and Ellery is married. fr .... ' . .