UPPER HUTT EXPLOSION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 99, 20 April 1914, Page 6

UPPER HUTT EXPLOSION.

THE INQUEST CONTINUED. [Per Press Association.] Wellington, April 20. Giving evidence to-day at the inquest on the victims of the Upper Hutt explosion Herbert Benge, senr., a partner in the firm of Benge and Pratt, whose store was destroyed, stated that during the week ending March 28th (the eve of the fire) the firm was engaged in stocktaking, which was not completed when the lire occurred. The firm stocked gelignite, blasting powder and detonators. r Jhe two former were kept upstairs and the detonators in a back shed. He did not think they had any gelignite in stock when the fire occurred. He could not tell when the last explosives were purchased. Witness was closely examined as to the circumstances of the fire and his own movements at the time. Continuing, Benge said deceased Vivian told him that they were out of gelignite. Witness admitted that he was in the explosives room at ten p’clock. The bodies of the victinis Flynn, Mahoney and Taylor, which were badly shattered, were found immediately under the gelignite room. When witness was in the room on the night of the fire he used at least one wax match. He could not account for the sale of all the gelignite. t The inquest is proceeding this afternoon.