SABOTAGE IS SUSPECTED

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21574, 9 February 1940, Page 6

SABOTAGE IS SUSPECTED

Two Explosions In 12

Hours

Power Distribution Points Guarded I By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON. February 8. With two explosions on Wellington tram tracks within 12 hours and the probability that these were caused by the placing of explosive charges on the tracks and their firing by contact with tram wheels, a sinister complexion is cast on the occurrences. Detectives are investigating both occurrences and electrical sub-stations and power distribution points are being closely watched lest 4he activities of those responsible for the explosion be carried to other spheres. The first explosion was on Wednesday night at 9.35 on the Berhampore section of the Island Bay line, when the force of the explosion forced up the floorboards in front of the tram, shattered and cracked windows and brought the tram to an abrupt halt. After being towed to the Newtown car barns tlie mechanism of the car was found to be in full running order, and the car was driven under its own power to the main sheds at Kilbimie. This effectively disposed of any possibility that the explosion arose from an electrical fault in the motors or control. A close examination went to show that the force of the explosion was much greater than that from a standard detonator.

The general manager of the Tramway Department of the City Corporation, Mr M. Cable, said to-day that the explosion was evidently caused by a charge placed on the track and the police were making investigations, tramway officers assisting where possible. Analytical experiments will be carried out in an effort to ascertain the type of explosive used and to decide whether the charge was of the "home-made” variety. To-day in Vivian Street, between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., there was a further explosion on the tram track. This time it was not so great as that of the previous night and of a force moderate enough to suggest that it resulted from a standard detonator or heavy percussion cap.