MYSTERIOUS EXPLOSION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1707, 4 August 1919, Page 11

MYSTERIOUS EXPLOSION.

HEARD IN COOK STRAIT. Residents of Wellington, particularly those in the southern suburbs, were startled on Friday afternoon at about half-past two by the roar; juid rumble of a heavy explosion, states the "Post." The rumbling report was heard at stations along the coast well away from Wellington, and it is said that buildings were shaken at Terawhiti —some citizens, possibly supersensitive, aver that houses in the city shook at the shock of the explosion. Others slate that they heard more than one report, the first al about half-past ten in the morning, and, according to different persons, one or two minor reports preceding the heavy detonation. The} most generally accepted theory isj that a strav German mine had drifted j on to the rocks at some point between the Heads and Terawhiti and I exploded, but against this are tliej statements that more than one explosion occurred. Inquiries made by I the police and other authorities have; failed to throw any light on Ihe mystery, for reports so far received state that there are no signs, such as dead lish being washed ashore and debris thrown about, of any heavy explosion along the coast within reasonable distance of Wellington. A thorough search is being made along the foreshore and at various places inland, and no doubt a definite explanation will be made shortly. Superintendent Norwood, of the Dislriei Police Headquarters, has been advised that members of n whaling party stationed at Te Awaiti, about 18 miles north-east of Pieton, heard the explosion, which they described as very heavy, about half-past two, and considered that the sound came from a point in Cook Strait, somewhat to Ihe north-east of Tory Channel. Settlers in Ihe vicinity of the whaling station also considered that Ihe explosion occurred somewhere in the neighbourhood of Toi'v Channel.