EXPLOSION OF SHELL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22711, 25 October 1935, Page 14

EXPLOSION OF SHELL

AUCKLAND BOY’S DEATH EVIDENCE OF FATHER (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, October 24. An inquest was opened into tho death of John William Boswell, aged eight years, who was killed when a Gib shell exploded at his home at Dcvonport on Wednesday afternoon. In evidence, the boy’s father (John Harold Boswell), a relief worker, said lie had left his home about 2.45 p.m., leaving his son alone in tho house. Shortly afterwards witness heard a loud report, but thought it was shooting at Fort Cautley. Ho was then informed that an accident hud occurred at his home. He immediately returned and learned that his son had been seriously injured. On going to the back door of Ids bouse ho found an exploded shell. “ 1 have seen service in tho permanent force,” stated witness. “ L examined the shell and can definitely recognise it as one which bad boon lying about the fernery at my house for at least 10 years. It had been used about my house by both my wife and myself. My wife used it to hammer in stakes in the garden. It was also used by my son as a mooring weight for Ids model yacht and was frequently submerged for long periods. I could tell the shell had been fired through a gun, and I had formed tile opinion that it was what is known as a ‘ practice shot.’ These are fitted with a threaded plug instead of a fuse. Had it been a practice shot it would have been perfectly harmless. The only conclusion that I can arrive at to explain the accident is that my son dropped the shell nose down on to the concrete step, and I am of the opinion that the shell was fitted with a base percussion fuse.” The inquest was adjourned.