TUNNEL EXPLOSION
HARBOUR BOARD QUARRY REASONS FOR "BLOW-OUT" [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] OAMARU, Wednesday The "blow-out" shot which occurred last month in one of the tunnels at the Oamaru Harbour Board's quarry was caused through Rn overcharge of explosive in one of the pockets of tlio tunnel, coupled with a weakness through the rock being previously shattered. These reasons were given in a report prepared by Air. G. A. Lee, consulting engineer to the board, which was received at. the monthly meeting of the board.
The report stated that in the pocket which caused the blow-out 15 cases of explosive were used. The weakness in the rock had extended further into the face than was expected. The pocket was situated at the western end of the tunnel, and had there been a lighter charge in it the blow-out would not have occurred. Mr. Lee said the amount of material brought down was estimated at 40,000 tons, and if the shot had not damaged the buildings it could have been said that it did all that was intended of it. It was fortunate that none of the workers was injured, although several of the board's buildings at the quarry had been completely wrecked.
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New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23137, 8 September 1938, Page 14
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202TUNNEL EXPLOSION New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23137, 8 September 1938, Page 14
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