BELFAST SENSATION

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXV, Issue 12390, 30 July 1937, Page 3

BELFAST SENSATION

LAND MINE SPRUNG VISIT OF KING AND QUEEN EXPLOSION 300 YARDS DISTANT London, July 2S A sensation was caused in London on the receipt of news, jmst before midnight, that an explosion which occurred in Academy Street, Belfast, while the King and Queen were in the City Hall, 3QO yards away, was due to a land mine and not, a,= had been reported earlier, to a gas leak. The original statement in the afternoon was official, but the police at a later hour, and after continual questioning, admitted the explosion was caused by explosives. Meantime the correct story was widely circulated on the Continent. Italian newspapers expressed sympathy with Their Majesties and the British people. London. July 28 The police stated; “There is not the slightest doubt that the explosion was caused by explosives. There was found in a hole what looks like a bag of rags which also contained some explosives. These and the bag had been placed against a bonded store, and to the explosives was attached considerable length of fuse, possibly time fuse, which is hi the possession of the police.” The factory was situated adjacent to the route, but the explosion occurred an hour after the procession had passed. It was a shattering explosion and blew a hole four feet across the pavement, smashing windows 150 yards away. Police rushed to the scene in armoured cars. It was a roar as if a great shell had hurst. Another laud mine was found on the line about 100 yards from the platform just before a detachment of special constabulary was due to leave Belfast .station tor Londonderly late to-night. A detonator was connected to an electrical apparatus some distance away. Meantime, over desolate hills on the Free State-Ulster border, squads of armed police are hunting terrorists. Along the frontier a score of Customs pests lay in ruins, mined or set on fire. Houses were burnt down. Police were earlier held up with machine-guns, and attempts were made to blow up 13 railway and road bridges. Owing to a wall collapsing under pressure of the crowd at Balmoral, Belfast, a number of children fell almost in front of the Royal car, which promptly slowed up. The children scrambled to their feet. Two, after first aid treatment, were given seats on the grandstand. The Queen sought information of the occurrence and sympathised with the two hurt children. She said she was glad the others were not injured. Enthusiastic Welcome Rugby, July 28 Belfast and surrounding towns and villages were en fete for the visit of the King and Queen, who crossed the Irish Channel in the Royal yacht Victoria and Albert, escorted by three cruisers and six destroyers The visit will la,-:t for only one day, but it is filled with processions and ceremonial. The North Ireland capital is packed with enthusiastic visitors from all over Ulster. The city has stopped work for the vi.-it and 1000 factory hands, released from work with a full day’s pay, gave a tremendous greeting to Their Majesties through the whole Royal drive from the quay to the City Hall. People massed 10 to 12 deep on the pavements and in side r o a( f s - Windows were thronged, and flags, handkerchiefs and hats were waved above the mass of people. Before entering the City Hall Their Majesties visited the Garden of Remembrance nearby and also inspected a parade of ex-servicemen and women.