To Investigate Explosion

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30745, 8 May 1965, Page 16

To Investigate Explosion

(N.Z. Press Association)

MASTERTON, May 7. A petrologist from the department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Wellington, will visit Masterton tomorrow to investigate a phenomenon which occurred on Mr F. W. H. McKinstry’s Stronvar property on Monday night.

He is Dr. A. Ewart, who is attached to the geological survey. He will be accompanied by Dr. Hulston. a scientist from the nuclear science institute of the D.S.I.R.

After an explosion rocked his farmhouse 20 miles east of Masterton on Monday night, Mr McKinstry discovered three sheep dead in a paddock about half a mile away. The sheep bore no outward marks to indicate how they died. One theory advanced is that the sheep were concussed by the effects of the explosion which left depressions in the ground. Dr. Hulston hopes to take samples of any find back to a laboratory for isotope ratio work.

The visiting experts will travel to Mr McKinstry’s property, adjoining the 8000acre Ngaumu forest, at midmorning tomorrow after calling on Mr H. M. Major, of Cornwall street, Masterton, the president of the Wairarapa Geological Society. The explosion has aroused considerable interest amongst geological people in the district. One line of thought is that a meteorite struck the ground with terrific force on Mr McKinstry’s property.

Mr McKinstry said today he was still mystified about what caused the explosion, which put out a light in his house a mile away from the fissures and scars in the ground.