LAND MINE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22794, 30 July 1937, Page 11

LAND MINE

BELFAST STREET SEVERE EXPLOSION THEIR MAJESTIES NEAR SENSATION CAUSED PAVEMENT BLOWN UP By TelPtrranh —Press Association—Copyright LONDON, July 28 Despatches from Belfast state that while Their Majesties wero receiving a loyal address at the City Hall, the air resounded with the shock of an explosion in Academy Street, 300 yards away, which caused considerable excitement. It was said that it had occurred in a warehouse. It was thought at first that the expl° s i ori AVas due to an escape of gas, but the Central News Agency states that the police admit it was due to a land mine. Policemen in cars with wire-netting covers are patrolling the decorated streets of Belfast. A sensation was caused in London on tlic receipt of "news, just before midnight, that, the explosion was due to a land mine and not, as had been reported earlier, to a gas leak. The original statement in tho afternoon was official, but tho police at a later hour, and after continual questioning, admitted the truth. They stated: "There is not tho slightest doubt that the explosion was caused by explosives. There was found in a holo what looks like a" bag of rags which also contained sonio explosives. "These and the bag had been placed agninst a bonded store, and to the explosives was attached a considerable length of fuse, possibly time fuse, which is in tho possession of the police." Tho factory was situated adjacent to the route followed by Their Majesties, but the explosion occurred an hour after the procession had passed. It was a shattering explosion and blew a hole four feet across tho pavement, ■breaking windows 150 yards away. Policemen were rushed to tho scene in armoured cars. It was a roar as if a great shell had burst. Another land mine was found late to-night on the line about 100 yards from the platform of Belfast railway station just before a detachment of special constabulary was due to leave for Londonderry. A detonator was connected to an electrical apparatus some distance away. The correct story of tho explosion was widely circulated on the Continent. Italian newspapers expressed sympathy '■. with , Their Majesties and the British people.

WALL COLLAPSES ' TWO CHILDREN INJURED SYMPATHY OF THE QUEEN BELFAST. July 28 Owing to a wall collapsing under the pressure of the crowd at Balmoral, Belfast, a number of children fell almost in front of the Royal car, which was promptly slowed up. The children scrambled to their feet. Iwo of them, after first aid treatment, were given seats on" the grandstand. The Queen sought information as to the occurrence and sympathised, with the two injured children. She said she was glad the others were not injured.

ACTIVITY ON BORDER POLICE HUNT TERRORISTS HEAVY DAMAGE CAUSED BELFAST. July 28 Over tho desolate hills on tho border of the Free State and Ulster squads of armed policemen are hunting for terrorists. Along tho frontier more than 20 Customs posts lie' in ruins, having been mined or set on firo. Some houses were burned down. The police earlier were,held lip with machine-guns, and attempts were made to blow np 13 railway and road bridges. One machine-gun fired across the border • from tho Free State caused Northern policemen in a Customß car to retreat.

DUKE OF WINDSOR ! NEWS HEARD IN VENICE VENICE. July 28 The Duke and Duchess of Windsor have arrived at Venice on a pleasure trip. They immediately inquired about news from England and were apprised regarding tho explosion of the land mine at Belfast.