Metal Falls From Sky Into Paddock Near Oamaru

Press, Volume C, Issue 29508, 9 May 1961, Page 22

Metal Falls From Sky Into Paddock Near Oamaru

(New Zealand Preu Association)

OAMARU, May 8. A "piece of metal, which dropped from the sky and struck the petrol tank of a tractor on a property at Whitstone, near Oamaru. has been sent to the United States for tests. The incident occurred in the early afternoon on March 24 as the owner of the property. Mr L. Wilson, was grubbing a paddock. When the metal struck the petrol tank, Mr Wilson went immediately to retrieve it, only to burn his fingers, for it was red hot. He then used a handkerchief, but the metal quickly burnt through three thicknesses of linen. When the piece of metal cooled off. it was sent by Mr Wilson to Mr A. R. Lowry, science master at Waitaki Boys' High School, who 'ested it for specific gravity, but found that it was only 6.3. whereas the specific gravity of iron or nickel from a meteorite is expected to be about 8.5. Mr Lowry did not want to ruin the piece of metal, and so did not undertake any chemical tests; but instead sent it on to Professor P C. Coombs, professor of geology at the University of Otago, who. after tests, was not prepared to say what it was. He.. in turn, sent it on to Professor Brian Mason, a i New Zealander, who is a meteorite expert at the New York Museum of Natural History. Professor Mason's

report on the metal has not yet been received. Mr Lowry described the piece of metal as being a small cube, of about threequarters of an inch wide, reddish-brown in colour, and cubicle markings. There were definite areas of stratafication. he said.