WAR SHELL CAUSES DEATH

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 August 1935, Page 5

WAR SHELL CAUSES DEATH

WARNING ABOUT “RELICS.”

LONDON, July 1

Accidents which continue to occur with war trophies, petrol and chemicals are mentioned by the Inspectors of Explosives, in their report for 1934. which was issued yesterday. During last year two persons were killed and seven injured by war trophies.

In 1934—more than 15 years since the end of the war —the inspectors were asked by the police to give instructions regarding the disposal of 40 bombs, shells, etc., in The metropolitan area alone. No fewer than six tons of shells, bombs and miscellaneous unwanted explosives were deposited. mostly through the police in the Home Office magazine and dumped at sea. In other parts of the country the military authorities give instructions regarding explosives that are found. “The danger with trophies comes from the want of knowledge of their nature," the report states. “It is not often realised, for instance, that a fused shell that has been fired may be in a very sensitive condition, and should always be looked upon as highly dangerous. It may be exploded by a light jar or even by being accidentally placed in such a position that the firing pellet in the fuse can move freely." DETONATOR PENCIL-CASES A warning is also given of the danger from the ordinary commercial detonator, which had caused the loss of two lives and injury to 32 persons during the past four years. The commercial detonator, it is pointed out. is a harmless looking article. and an attractive object for use as a pencil case or ferrule for a fishing rod, but when an attempt is made to probe the contents the detonator invariably explodes with the loss of a few fingers and occasionally with fatal results. A case is reported in which 1501 b. of blasting explosive and over 1.500 detonators were buried to get rid of them. The local authority heard of this, and fortunately the recovery and destruction of the explosive was safely accomplished. a , “The only safe method ot destroying blasting explosives,’’ it is added, “is to dump then? in deep and suitable waters, or to detonate or burn them, taking proper precaution, but reference should be made to this office if in doubt." During the year there were 233 accidents due to explosions, resulting in 21 persons being killed and 250 injured.