DYNAMITE EXPERIMENTS.

Clutha Leader, Volume V, Issue 215, 23 August 1878, Page 6

DYNAMITE EXPERIMENTS.

A number of settlers and others in the Clutha district having expressed a desire to see some experiments with dynamite in the removal of stumps of trees, &c, arrangements were recently made with Mr Gorman, agent for the Dynamite Company, to conduct a few such experiments so soon as he should finish the work of blasting rocks up the river. That gentleman having finished these works, arrived in Balclutha on Wednesday last week, and agreed to operate upon stumps of trees in Mr Gilroy's paddock, Inch Clntha, the following day at noon. Information of tbis was sent to as many as possible, and shortly after the hour named about

seventy settlers and others from Inch Clutha, Kaitangata, and the neighbouring districts had assembled to witness the operations, lt muse be mentioned that, according to the usual practice in such cases in the Clutha district, " luncheon was provided," and although Mrs Gilroy had only a few hours' notice, the substantial and elegant dinner which formed the introduction to the day's proceedings abundantly testified to her resources and liberality. This part of the programme seemed to give offence to the clerk of the weather, as during luncheon a change from fine to bitter cold with heavy rain and sleet commenced, and continued at intervals throughout the afternoon. The preliminary arrangements completed, the crowd repaired to the paddock in rear of Mr Gilroy's house, where stumps of different kinds of timber and of all sizes were found in great abundance. A solid fresh stump having been selected, a hole was made underneath it with a crowbar, and into this some cartridges were pressed with a wooden rammer. A detonating percussion cap was pressed on one end of a fuse and inserted into a cartridge, of dynamite, arid this was placed in contact with the charge under the tree. Some earth was then applied to fill up the hole-, leaving about a foot of the fuse extending out. All being ready a match was applied to the fuse, and the crowd rushed in all directions to a safe distance to watch the effect. The powder in the fuse burned slowly till it reached the " detonator cap " at the other end, which the fire caused to explode, and that in turn exploded tbe charge of dynamite with a loud report. The result was that a large hole had apparently benn excavated beneath the stump j the stump itself was completely shattered, and with its roots raised a little, but was not blown away or detached from the roots. It was so broken and loosened, however, that a few minutes' hand labour would only be required to remove it. Another stump was similarly operated upon, and the stump was blown away, but the " tap root " left in the ground. An auger hole was made in a- standing tree, and a charge inserted. The tree was cut clean across at the spot, and blown up in the air. A charge was inserted in a crack of a large felled tree, which was completely split in two. Powder would have had no effect upon it, as its force would have escaped by the crack. A number of men with axes cut the roots four or five feet from the base of a large green stump above three feet in diameter *. a hole was made underneath it with a crowbar, and a pound of dynamite (price 3<?) inserted. The crowd dispersed to a longer distance than usual, and upon the explosion taking place logs and pieces of timber were seen flying through the air in all directions, and some narrow escapes from injury occurred. A rush wa3 made to examine tbe effect upon the stump, but not a vestige of the stump remained. It was found all over the paddock within a radius of 400 yards, and smashed into pieces suitable for fuel. A spontaneous cheer burst from the crowd when the effect of the blast was witnessed. Several other experiments of a similar nature were made and with similar results. Mr Gorman fully explained to all the properties of and mode of applying the dynamite.

At the close of the experiments, Mr J. C. Anderson proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Gorman for his courtesy in attending to experiment and instruct them as to the use of dynamite. He was sure all were satisfied that the experiments had been thoroughly successful, and that dynamite was an efficient and expeditious means of removing stumps. He hoped those present would communicate to others the facts as to the trials they had witnessed, so that they also might have the advantage of the appliance now at their hand.

The vote was passed amidst cheers for Mr Gorman. Mr Gorman in reply thanked the company for their kind expressions. It was his business, he said, to show experiments and give instructions as to tbe use of dynamite. He was glad they had all been so satisfied with the result oi the experiments that afternoon. Mr Gorman, accompanied with a few from Balclutha, then proceeded to the Corporation quarry, where several blasts were fired in crevices and holes to show the power of dynamite as compared with powder. In all case's the experiments were satisfactory. As an -example, we may mention that a large boulder of the hardest bluestone, weighing about 30 cwt., was experimented upon. A hole was bored in it to the I depth ef about an inch and a hall, and ' a small charge inserted or laid on. It

was tbnn simply covered with a handful of loose earth. Tbe explosion cut the huge boulder right through the centre, the one half also bping split into two, and the other completely cracked iv various direction?, so that a stroke j with a hammer would make it fall in pieces. We would only add that the dynamite used is Nobel's patent, which is manufactured by Nobel's Explosives Company, Limited. Their works are situated in Ardper, in Argylsbi.-e, Scotland, where the dynamite has been manufactured since February, 1873. Five thousand tons are now used per annum for blasting operationsin Europe, America, and Australia. It is much safer than gunpowder under all conditions of transport, and when properly used there is no danger of accidents ; but of course all will see the reasonableness of abstaining from tampering with an explosive of such destructive properties. If anyone wishes to use it, he should enquire as to tbe modus operandi of some one experienced in its use. Messrs Dalgety, Nichols, and Co., Dunedin, are agents for the Colony. Mr 8. Gorman has been sent to this country by the Company for the exprr-ss purpose of giving instructions. as to the use of their explosives.