THE HUTT EXPLOSION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 49, 3 April 1914, Page 10

THE HUTT EXPLOSION.

INQUEST ON TKS VICTIMS. HOW BRAVE MEN DIED. Press Association. UPPER HUTT, April 3. The inquest on the victims of the Upper Hivtt tragedy was opened to-day before Mr W. G. Riddell, District Coroner. Mr C. B. Morison, K.C., with him Mr H. F. O'Leary, appeared for Messrs Benge and Pratt, proprietors of the building demolished. Mr T. M. Wilford represented the relatives of the deceased. The first witness was Ernest Charles Thomas, who gave formal evidence as to the nature of the explosion, which, -he said, was of such a force as to blow him 20 yards across the road. Just prior to the explosion witness saw Constable Mahonev, Taylor, Yivian, Flynn, and another inside. Previously witness had said to Constable Mahoney, Are there any explosives in the shop? Constable Mahoney replied: "No, it's all right.'' w He heard another man ask the same question of Yivian, and the reply was the same. At the time of the explosion the flames were making their way to the upper story of the shop. After the explosion, the coat witness was wearing was covered by grey spots. To Mr Wilford: Witness said there was no doubt Constable Mahoney went into the building for the sole purpose of warning those already inside. Taylor, Flynn, and Yivian were all engaged in saving the property when the explosion occurred. Philip Davis stated that the building occupied by Benge and Pratt was one of the oldest in the district. He did not kiiow ta what use Benge and Pratt put the upstairs rooms, and could not * say whether they sold explosives or not. . , Daniel Dennehy said that he arrived on the scene of the fire at 4 a.m. on Sunday, when he was informed that Constable Mahoney's body had not been discovered. He immediately instituted . a search, and the remains of the body .were found under some sheets of iron, about six feet from the inner edge of the footpath. The remains were identifie'd as those of Constable Mahoney by'a pair of handcuffs found amongst " the debris at this-spot. Constable Melville gave corroborative evidence, and formal evidence of the identification of -the victims was given by several witnesses. Gerald Comesky, son of the late Jas. Comeslcy, said he was near by, but heard no explosion, but he. saw the results of the same, and Edwards's office next door was demolished. Witness saw his father under the timber, but could not extricate him until the water was played on the fire. Deceased was endeavouring to save Government property when the explosion occurred. Witness did not know of any water being played on the fire prior to the explosion. Dr F. W. Kemp, after giving detailed medical evidence, said the noise of the explosion awoke him. The sound was more like a bang than a boom, .and he heard no explosions subsequent to the * main one. George Taylor, who was in a bakehouse at rear of the building at the time of the explosion, described the latter as "like a terrible roar." It happened with surprising suddenness, and" was all over in a few seconds. (Proceeding.)