VIOLENT EXPLOSION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 112, 8 April 1927, Page 6

VIOLENT EXPLOSION.

MAN FATALLY INJURED. CAUSE OF MISHAP A MYSTERY. AUCKLAND, April 7. One man lost his life and another was severely injured in an explosion this morning at A. Donald’s fellmonmongery, half a mile from Drury. The casualty list is as follows: HENRY GEORGE ROULTON, aged 30 years, of Papakura; dead. ALEXANDER DONALD, aged 42 years, of Pukekolie; seriously injured.

The explosion occurred at 8.30 o’clock. The two men mentioned were the only occupants of a shed containing the big hydro, a machine used tor drying wool. The deafening noise of the explosion drew other workers to the scene. They found Donald lying in a huddled heap beside the hydro ; his companion (Roulton) was oil the other side of the machine seriously injured. The explosion, which was heard some distance away, must have been one of some force as one side of the shed was blown completely away; another portion of the building was also badly shattered.. Roulton and Donald were attending the hydro, which is a large cylindrical steel machine used for wringing the water out of wool. It had been in use for about 20 years. The cause of the explosion is a mystery, but the steel cylinder was shattered and pieces of metal two inches in thickness were hurled in all directions.

The injured men were quickly carried to an adjoining shed where they received medical attention. Roulton was not dead when he was found, but his injuries were so severe that little hope was held out for his recovery; he died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. He was a married man, who is survived by his widow and family of three children. Donald "is also a married man. He was taken to the operating theatre immediately he arrived at the hospital. The full extent of his injuries is not yet known.