DELAYED EXPLOSION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23057, 7 June 1938, Page 10

DELAYED EXPLOSION

PART OF AIR DISPLAY CRATER MADE ON _BEACH CHARGE UNEXPECTEDLY FIRED [by TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION'] WELLINGTON, Monday An explosion shortly after noon yesterday marked the firing of a charge of explosive which was laid in Lyall Bay to provide the finishing spectacle at the Royal New Zealand Air Force display at Rongotai aerodiome on Saturday. Apparently, after having been hauled up on the beach close to the road running along the seaside, the charge was exploded. No warning had been given to those at the aerodrome, and the road itself was open. Aerodrome officials, fearing that an accident had happened, hurriedly despatched a stretcher party to the scene, but it was needed. The charge, which was supposed to give those who attended the display an idea of the power of a modern 2501b. aerial bomb, was laid well out in Lyall Bay. It wa§ connected by electric cable to the firing point ashore. At the appointed time it failed to explode. Yesterday, however, those in the vicinity of the • aerodrome saw a flash of flame and a hugo column of black smoke streaked with dying sand. The long-awaited explosion had taken place, but the only ones to enjoy the spectacle were the small group of engineers responsible for its detonation. Apparently the charge had been hauled up on to the beach,'for the explosion took place well above the water's edge. A crater about 14ft. aci'oss and 4ft to sft deep was blown in the sand.