STRANGE EXPLOSION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18354, 21 March 1923, Page 9

STRANGE EXPLOSION.

NEW ZEALANDER JELLED.

SUCCESSFUL INVENTOR.

[FROM Otfß OWN" CORHESrONBKNT.] LONDON, February 1. An explosion occurred last night in a workshop in Ossulton Street, near St. Pancras Station, whereby Mr. Walter H. Anderson, formerly of Wellington, met his death. "". The late Mr. Anderson came from NewZealand some time before the war, bringing with him a patent cinematograph projector which, it appears, had met with considerable success in the Dominion. The work of placing it upon the'market in this country was interrupted by the war, and the death of a.certain man, who had a financial interest in- the scheme. Mr. Anderson joined the Air Force and served throughout the war. After demobilisation he seems to have met with a great deal of financial success with his patent. He took a shop in Ossulton Street, which he used as a workshop and a garage for his motor-car, and he lived at the Hampden Club nearby. Recently he had invented a motor carburettor, which had been highly approved at Faraday House, and he was forming a company to place it upon the market. Friends of his at the Hampden Club mention that he spoke very hopefully of his invention a few days ago, and expected to make a good thing out of it. Although he had taken up his residence at a private house at Cartwright Gardens, he had remained a member of the club, and was a frequent visitor there. His fellow members speak highly of his ability as an inventor, and he appears to have been very popular among his club mates, Last night, at 8 o'clock, the whole neighbourhood was shaken by the explosion, which blew out the front of the shop and smashed the : windows . of the shops on either side. Some one who came up just after the explosion saw Mr. Anderson tying on the floor, and at once wentin and pulled him out into the street. Although terribly burned about the hands and face, Mr. Anderson was still alive, and was taken to the Royal" Free Hospital; He died, however, a quarter of. an hour after bis admission. The cause of ideath was stated to be shock, due to burns. The cause of the explosion is so ' far a mystery, but no doubt some further light will be shed on it at the inquest, which will he held in the course of a few days. The deceased was unmarried, and about 35 years of age. ';.•;■; ;\/".