OHAKUNE DISASTER

Otago Witness, Issue 3249, 21 June 1916, Page 3

OHAKUNE DISASTER

OHAKUNE, June 14. 'ihe adjourned inquest into the Ohakunc explosion was field in the Courthouse today. iviichael Shecdy, quarry manager, deposed that ho was employed at No. 2 tunnel, next to the oiio where ihe explosion was, iixing lamps. iio went into No. 3 tunnel, lit a candle,' and met a flash oi fire, being badly burned. He came down the ropes and went; to the engine shed. Ho was removed to the railway station, where a doctor attended him. and sent him to Taihape Hospital. He was in No. 3 tunnel at 9 o'clock in the morning. Everything then appeared satisfactory, lie could g.vo no reason for the explosion. lie had drawn Melsoji's attention to naked lights being used, and had received a reply to the effect that he had ordered lamps. .None came, and candles were still used. Ho was afraid that a light might be dropped negligently and set lire to the charge. This was before the earth and concrete were put in. No smell oi gas was noticeable, it a light fell on a cartridge it would simply burn. He said that there had been no carelessness in handling the explosives. Some of the men sa:d they disliked explosives being stored in the engine shed. This was done to thaw them betore putting them in tho tunnel. Ho was positive that cambrite was used.

George Morgan deposed that he wag working at a staging opposite tumnel No. 2, and had wheeled concrete into both tunnels during the morning. He saw no carelessness. Ho was outside between the two tunnels when the explosion occurred. He was knocked down by loose stone.-:, and crawled to No. 2 tunnel. Shecdy came up to tho staging. Both entered tunnel No. 3, and met a rush of fire, both being badly burned. He went to the engine shed, and was removed home. He heard Shecdy object to smoking in the tunnel. Torrons was in the tunnel at the time of the explosion. Tho inquest was further adjourned till tho 22nd inst. No trace of Torrens's body has been found.