A MODERN JOB

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 May 1936, Page 2

A MODERN JOB

SERIES OF MISFORTUNES

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

PAHIATUA. May 29

A resident of Konini, Job Mabey, married, farmer, had a miraculous escape from death at four o’clock yesterday afternoon, when engaged in spitting trees, with the aid of a patent gun-splitter. He had inserted the gun in a log, and was about to light the fuse, when suddenly a terrific explosion occurred at the side, setting fire to his coat, and burning extensively his face, arms and wrists. His son, who was standing beside him, escaped the force of the explosion. He had his father taken to a doctor, who ordered Mabey, senior, to the hospital. It was at first believed tlfht the gun exploded prematurely, but an examination revealed that the charge was intact. This suggests that Mabey inadvertently dropped the match, or held it too close to an opened tin, containing three pounds of blasting powder. The victim’s family has been unfortunate, this year. They had their house damaged by a hurricane, a few months ago, when Mabey was hurled from the roof of a shed, by the wind, sustaining broken ribs. Then the house was burnt down, and later both his wife and daughter were in hospital, owing to sickness. Mabey is considered to be out of danger.