UPPER HUTT DISASTER.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13455, 29 April 1914, Page 3

UPPER HUTT DISASTER.

CORONER'S FINDING

EXPLOSION CAUSED BY, GELIGNITE.

JUnITKD PbESS AeSOOIATtON.]

Wellington, April 28. In giving his verdict in connection with the Hutt fire inquest, the coroner stated tliat two theories had been advanced as to the cause of tho explosion. One of these- was that it was due to an escape of acetylene gas, and tho other that it was due to gelignite |The acetylene gas theory was supported by Professor Easterfiold and,opposed by Dr. MacLaurin and two other witnesses: Putting the positive elements "against the negative ' elcmonts in regard to the acetylene hypothesis, one could, said the' coroner, only come to the conclusion that the explosion was not due to acetylene gas. On tho evidence his verdict was that the men were killed or died from injuries accidentally received in an explosion of gelignite at Bengo and Pratt's store, but that the evidence is insufficient to showhow the fire originated. Tho coroner said the evidence went to show 'that Beiige and Pratt were not aware that gelignite in aiiy such quantiHes was stored in the place.