HEAVY EXPLOSION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21326, 29 October 1932, Page 8

HEAVY EXPLOSION

MYSTERY AT GREYMOUTH POLICE STATION THE SCENE NO DAMAGE DISCOVERED STARTLING REPORT HEARD [BY TELEGRAPH —I'RESS ASSOCIATION] GREYMOUTH. Friday Coincident with the announcement today of a reward of £2OO in connection with the recent bomb explosion at the residence of Police-Inspector Lopdell, there was an explosion in t.ho vicinity of the police station about 9.5 this evening. A loud report, was heard over a considerable area, but no indication was subsequently obtainable of the exact spot where the explosion occurred. The smell of explosive was noticed in (he vicinity of the station, the windows of which were shaken, but. no sign of damage was discernible. Presumably, the explosive went off in the air before landing. It must have been within 20 yards of the building. Although it is believed that three plugs of dynamite constituted the explosive, the police are mystified at the absence of any sign of damage. After the explosion some smoke was noticed by a passer by at the rear of the police station. Inspector Lopdell was not at the station at the time, but SeniorSergeant Roach wa3 on duty. He stated that the windows rattled loudly. The explosion was heard many blocks away. The evident object was to damage the station, according to the opinion of the police, although th e distance from the station to the house of Sergeant D. B. Murray is less than 100 yards, a clear section lying between the two. The station is located in the vicinity of the wharf area, which is quiet at night. Detectives and constables conducted a search all over the adjacent grounds, and the absence of any vestige of effect prompted the conclusion that the explosive went off befoi'o striking anything. The night was exceptionally dark, with steady rain. I\obody reported seeing any flash at the time of the explosion.