HOME-MADE EXPLOSIVES

Evening Star, Issue 21722, 17 May 1934, Page 12

HOME-MADE EXPLOSIVES

INCREASING USE A PUBLIC DANGER WARNING ISSUED [l’m Unitbd Press Asbociatiok.] CHRISTCHURCH, May 17. The danger from people manufacturing explosives and using them was stressed in the Magistrate’s Court this i morning, when Dougald Ingrim Henderson, of New Brighton, was charged with manufacturing an explosive. Defendant pleaded guilty, and the Magistrate convicted and discharged ban. Henderson was charged with manufacturing for practical use an explosive a chlorate powder consisting of a mixture of potassium chlorate ana sulphur, contrary to the provisions of Clause 5 of the Regulations under the Explosives and Dangerous Goods Act. Sub-inspector Powell said Henderson was engaged in blasting logs for a neighbour. He had mixed potassium chlorate and sulphur, and poured the powder into holes. He was in the act of packing the holes when the explosion occurred. Two girls and defendant were injured, defendant and one girl being rendered unconscious. Roy Girling Butcher, chief inspector of explosives, said it was regretted that it had been found necessary to bring the case, as defendant had had considerable punishment oy reason of his injuries, but the department considered it necessary to give vhe maximum possible publicity to the facts regarding the hazards of chlorates oi sodium and potassium. Mr Butcher added that, owing to the development of the use of sodium chlorate for weed-killing purposes, particularly with ragwort, it was now coming into common use by farmers, and therefore was readily obtainable by the public. Unfortunately a amount of publicity had been given to i the fact that when mixed with organic materials, such as sugar or sulphur, the mixture could he effectively used as an explosive, and from reports received by the department it was evident that the use of these “ home made ” explosives was increasing. The Magistrate (Mr Mosley) said there was no doubt it was a serious offence, and was rendered more so by its unexpectedness. The use of explosives was becoming commoner, because people did not know the hazard or danger of fheir use.