Startling Incident At Portland

Northern Advocate, 21 October 1938, Page 9

Startling Incident At Portland

What might have been a serious accident at Portland cement works yesterday, had seme rather humorous features—when viewed after the event. Two men, while “running in” a bearing with molten metal, which they were pouring from a large ladle, were suddenly startled by a violent explosion, as were other workers in the vicinity. For some reason, the metal shot cut as from a gun, bespattering the two operators and the bystanders with designs which were as picturesque as they were unusual. Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt, though one of the men who were holding the large ladle was struck in the eye by a speck of the molten matter. This, however, was quickly and efficiently removed by the company’s chemist, after which the injured man was conveyed by motor to a Whangarei surgeon, who applied the necessary dressing. The workman was then able, as he mentioned to a friend, to return home '“under his own power.” This morning Ige was very pleased to find that his sight was uninjured.