GELIGNITE EXPLOSION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22224, 26 September 1935, Page 12

GELIGNITE EXPLOSION

WARMING IN AN OVEN INQUEST ON CHILD'S DEATH COMMENTS BY CORONER [by telegraph—own correspondent] PALMEPSTON NORTH, Wednesday "In the light of tho present case any person adopting this method of warming gelignite will bo guilty not only of gross ignorance, but of extreme negligence," said the coroner, Mr. A. J. Graham, at the inquest held at Palmerston North to-day when he returned a verdict that Nita Cowdrey, aged four years, died on September IS from a cerebral injury received through the explosion of gelignite. Frank Cowdrey, farmer, residing at Stanway Road, Halcombe, the father of deceased, stated that on July 12 he had intended to do some blasting, bub an inspection of tho gelignite showed it to bo hard. To increase its efficiency lie placed 50 plugs, weighing 51b., in the oven to warm it. The explosive was there about three minutes while he and the household were taking breakfast. All witness next remembered was a Hare. Ho had 91b. of gelignite altogether stored in the house.

Senior-Sergeant Moriarty: Do you think it safe to warm gelignite in the house like this, considering its dangerous nature? —It is quite a common practice among farmers, and one I have used for some years. I have handled a considerable quantity of gelignite.

And you thought it all right?—l did not exactly think that it was all right. I had used so much that I was more or less contemptuous of it. I was just about to remove it when it exploded. Iteplving to his counsel, Avitness said he had used gelignite ever since lie went farming in 1928. Ho had intended to use it to blow up some green trees .and had warmed 31b. of gelignite similarly a few davs previously. The stove had not been 'lighted very long when the explosion occurred. The Coroner: You consider that there is a certain amount of danger in warming gelignite in an oven, then? —Yes, a certain amount. And you recognise now that it is extremely dangerous?—l certainly do. I would not resort to it again.