Explosion of Gelignite.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 251, 31 October 1901, Page 3

Explosion of Gelignite.

AN AI.AHMING SHOCK. Paeroa, Saturday. l’acroa was thrown into a state of great excitement last night upon the occasion of tile destruction at Pinko of a quantity of the gelignite damaged when the Taniwha collided'with the p.s. Patiki in the Ohincmuri river. The explosion was totally unexpected, and as the shock to the township was tremendous people rushed outside their homes, thinking that the roofs were falling in. Women and children were screaming hysterically, and j in several instances very serious results have developed owing to the suddenness and severity of the shock. A timely official warning could have prepared everyone for the explosion. Information as to the quantity exploded is not obtainable at Paeroa, though a report is current that the amount was 40 cases, the Govern- ! incut inspector having tired at the geligj nite from a distance of close on 2000yds, with one of the new rides issued to the Oninemuri Hides No. 1. The locality of the explosion, it is said, was about 40 miles from l’acroa by river, but only about 10 miles as the crow dies, and this accounts for the severity of the shock. In quite a number of houses, pictures and ornaments were thrown from the walls, whilst in several other cases windows were broken. It appeared to many as if a thunderbolt had fallen or that there had been a volcanic eruption close by. and as a consequence the experience of all was verv unpleasant. Karan gahake and Maekaytown were also thrown into a state of great excitement by the shock.