THE EXPLOSION AT QUEBEC.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXII, Issue 7414, 3 December 1884, Page 5

THE EXPLOSION AT QUEBEC.

On Saturday, Oct. 11, the Parliament Buildings, in course of erection at Quebec, Canada, were wrecked by explosives. The shook was felt throughout the city, and the windows in the neighbourhood of the explosion were shattered. The correspondent of the Standard, telegraphing next day, said: —“ Quebec was yesterday terrified by two tremendous explosions, the noise and shock of which extended throughout the city. It was at first thought that the magazine of the citadel had been blown up, but it soon became known that the Provincial Parliament Buildings had been wrecked. The Parliament Buddings formed a most substantial structure, in the shape of a hollow square. Three of the wings, each of them 300 ft long, were designed for the new departmental offices, and they had been completed and occupied. The fourth and more important wing was intended for the meetings of Parliament. This was advancing towards completion. It had four storeys, the walls being ox cut stone. The iron girders had been placed in position throughout, and everything was ready for the roof to be constructed. About noon yesterday a shower of ascended from the south corner of the bmldiegaStones measuring two cubic feet were hurled a distance of several hundred feet, striking and ploughing the earth a foot deep in transit. The front facade of the main structure soon disclosed » gap which had been made by the explosion no kss than 30ft square. The workmen employed upon the buildings were fortunately away at dinner, and thus more serious results were averted. After the explosion a search of tr.c buildings was promptly made, but without tuc discovery of any clue to the perpetrators of the outrage, ’three hours later, at the other corner, another explosion occurred, shattering the masonry, which was very thick; but no stones were actually displaced. They are, however, so disfigured and shaken that the repair of this part of tire structure without demolition is impossible. Nobody doubts that the explosions were maliciously designed to destroy the Parliament House; for it is impossible to reconcile the characteristics with those of a legitimate accident. Moreover, it appears that the contractors had not had ,my dispute with their workmen, ami uo explosives were used upon the works. The Irish ami French workmen charge each i>ther with the outrage, and the feud has become so bitter that it is feared they will come into violent conflict. The explosions have destroyed all trace of the material, whether dynamite or other compound, which was used by the perpetrators. It is reported that two strangers, carrying parcels, were seen about the works; rut what looks more suspicious and significant U that before the explosions some work men. having occasion unexpectedly to disturb the massive masonry of a division wall, found in a recess a valise weighing about 501 b, and supposing it c ntair.w mason's tools, they rested it against the window which was shattered by the ars.. explosion. Experts say that, as the -> : l > sion showed the effects of great vrficr. over a limited area, dynamite vmsjprJ •» j the material used for the outrage-