TAIHAPE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 302, 22 December 1933, Page 3

TAIHAPE

SHED EXPLOSION EVIDENCE AT INQUIRY The borough engineer submitted the following 1 jort in regard to the shed explosion, unich caused injury to two council employees: — “1 was not present at the time of the accident but inspected the sheds some half to three-quarters of an hour later, and although 1 found some gelignite (three plugs), on the bench which quite evidently had not exploded, 1 formed the opinion that the explosion had been caused by sparks from the emery wheel igniting benzine fumes. I found the roof of the shed was burnt; also a window on the opposite side uf the shed was blown out. “About 11 a.m. of the same morning Mr. J. Mort laud accompanied mo on a further inspection of the shed and after seeing same, he said to me, 1 am satisfied that gelignite din not explode, because it will not explode by burning; the cause of the explosion was benzine fumes.'’ 1 notice also that Mr. Mortland in his report to the bi re Board un November 10, definitely states, ‘That sparks from the grinder ignited the benzine fumes from the motor tractor, causing an explosion.' I also notice that in a letter to the Borough Council, dated November 16, 1933, Air. Mortland states that ‘from exhaustive enquiry he was satisfied that the explosion was not caused by benzine fumes, but by the ignition oi 31 plugs of donomite from sparks from th c grinder on the same bench where the dononiite lay.’ 1 may state that the facts as set’out in this letter are quite incorrect. “Immediately' after inspecting the sheds on the morning of the lire, I went and saw both Mr. Gardner and Air. Sainty, who were then in hospital. They were very badly burnt, but in neither ease did I notice any distinctive smell which would indicate the origin of thc explosion. “As soon as was convenient I questioned Air. Sainty in a brief manner as to what he knew about the whole business, and he told me that the gelignite which was found on the bench had previously been placed in a certain cupboard in the shed adjacent to where the explosion took place. L then, on sundry occasions, tried to find the box in the place where he described 'same tp be, but did not succeed in finding same. However, on the morning of November 13 1 was in the shed and saw on the top of the cupboard in thc first shed a 51b. Bell tea tin and 1 casually opened thc lid and found same full of chaff, and 1 put my hand in and pulled out a large plug of what appeared to be gelignite, and which -I found afterwards was gelignite. The tin contained four plugs and a few detonators. “In the course of a conversation next morning Air. Abbott informed me that Mr. Hobman received same from Mr. Dan Ryan, and had given same to Air. Sainty aud told him that it was donomite and to be careful with same. During Tuesday', the 14th, the town clerk told me that Mr. Loader knew something about this donomite, so 1 went and saw him and he informed me that Air. Hobman had used same at the reservoir, and it was donomite. I immediately said that 1 did not know of any ’such, explosive, so 1 went and saw Mr. Hobman, who was working on thc drain in Mataroa Road, about 4.15 p.m. that evening, and he informed me that he had taken some foui plugs of donuniito from Air. Dan Ryan and had used some and given the rest (which was packed in chaff in a Bell tea tin), to Mr. Sainty, and told him to be careful with same as it was dangerous. “As regards the gelignite (three small plugs), found on the bench in the grader shed, 1 may state that same were found in a shed which was on the new camp site. Air. Sainty informed m e that when this job was commenced he found these plugs in a small shed that had been put there some time previous. 1 instructed him to bring same- up to our tool sheds and store them carefully in the meantime, and to get rid of same at earliest possible moment. 1 have not stored either gelignite or blasting powder in the tool sheds in th e borough yard for the past twelve months, as I have been using lythite, there being no regulations as to the storage of this type of explosive. “I may state that this is not the second outbreak of lire to occur in the same borough building during the past 18 months, as thc previous fire occurred on Air. J. Williams’ property and spread to our buildings, but it certainly did not originate in our buildings. Secondly, no license is necessary tor the storage of explosives, provided same do not exceed the following quantities: Blasting powder, l()lb.; gelignite, 51b. ‘ Regulations under Explosives and Dangerous Goods Act, 19U8. “As regards the cause of the explosion, 1 can say but little except that 1 know of nothing else that could have exploded but benzine. ” Mr. Truman was cross-examined at some length on his report. Asked how the gelignite came to be on the bench, he replied: “It is a puzzle to me.’' Ur. Wilshcr: You should exercise strict control over the explosives and have not done so. Cr. Butler; Where did th e gelignite come from/ Air. Truman: Mr. Hobman obtained it from a relief worker and used some of it at thc reservoir. There was no authority given for its purchase. Cr. Mac Diarmid; Was there benzine in the shed? Air. Truman: There was some in the tractor and also a case stored in the shed. Benzine is the only thing 1 could sc© that could explode. 1 can’t say' definitely it was a benzine explosion. 1 would be pleased if 1 could find out myself. Further questioned, Air. Truman said that he had never heard of donomite and did not think there was such an explosive. Nothing in the shed where the explosion occurred was displaced except one window. The Mayor: How was the roof c harred I Air. '1 runiau: 1 cannot account for it. Cr. Loader: What, time was the explosion ? Mr. Truman: About ten minutes past eight. The Mayor: The Borough Council needs no permit to store small quantities of explosives up to a certain limit. Air. Mortland: Can you sit there and say that explosives can be stored in discriminate! y ?

I The Alayor: Sit down, Air. Mortland, i you are only' wasting time. Some of your remarks, are not even polite. ■ Cr. Sinclair said that he had exam- | ined the two injured men. There was I no dirt blown into thc skin as would I have been the case had some explosive, I exploded near them. It was purely a bum. Later in the evening Air. Alort- | land produced letters from two other | doctors differing from the opinion exI pressed by Cr. Sinclair. Air. F. Sainty stated in evidence that he started work at 8 o’clock on the morning of the accident. He selected a chisel to sharpen on a grindstone and asked Air. Gardner to turn the grind stone as it vibrates. Soon after he started to sharpen the chisel an explosion occurred. There was a flash and a harsh detonation and light blue smoke appeared, it struck witness as being some explosion other than benzine on account of the sharp flash. He was quite satisfied that it was not a benzine explosion, having had previous experience of a benzine explosion. He knew there was gelignite in the shed. Cr. Mac Diarmid: Did you smell benzine when you entered the shed? Witness; No. Further questioned, Air. Sainty said that the burns he received were totally different from those suffered in a benzine explosion previously. There ap yeared to be grit under the skin. After the explosion there was a grey duly ish on tLe window. “1 conducted an experiment with blasting powder today on a glass bottle and obtained Hiuilar results to what was on the window.’’ Air. W. Gardner was the next witness, and in giving his version of the explusion, he said tnai he heard a loud I eport and saw a blue flame with white smoke. He did not smell any benzine fumes when he entered the shed. He did not think it was a benzine explosion, as the shed was too much ven.ilated. If benzine had exploded thc shed would have been burnt. He had handled many cases of benzine in his time and sometimes the cases were leaking, and one could not help smelling the fumes, which were very strong, lie felt quite convinced that the explosion was not caused by benzine. Air. H. G. Knight said that he smelt no benzine fumes in the shed, lheie was a hole in the sarKing of the ruol over the grader and it appealed at first as though a small quantity of benzine had leaked from me tank of the grader-tractor aud blew straight up. H appeared that the explosion nad occurred on Hie opposite side to wheiu the men were working and portions ui sarking had dropped un gelignite ami burnt away, h xtness learned late* that the two men who were injuied were working on the upposne siue to wnat nc muiigm tney wui’o workinga ms was tne »iue where the expiusiua uccurrea. xi. pcvioiis witness had stated tnai he saw wnive smoke immediately ancr Luu explosion and 11 tms were coirecl al euuid nut naw been a benzine expiu sion, as the smoke would nave wen biack in an explosion 01 mis Kind, me uieury nad been advanced mat >paij».o irom an emery wueef nau ignu.ua ueu zinc iumes. did not ouixuve in tuts tneory, us tneie was no neat m me sparks irom an emery wneei. iuu can nolu yutir naud in a shower 01 sparks num an emery wneui aru yuu canuut leui anything. 1 sumratuu u piece ui asbestus wan benzine u 4 .d. hciu it in a shower 01 sparks ami ixUliiiiig happened,' duclarcu witness. Lviuence was given by Air. J. Alounind and several utner witnesses. Alter thc last witness nad been heaiu the Alayur remarked mat mure was u great conflict of evidence and ue could not make up his mind as tu wnat was me cause oi me explosion. 1 lie benzine theory nad ueen exploded, ihe evidence of some of me witnesses was a little unsatisiactury, especially in the case oi one particular witness. “i don't mink the explosion was* caused by donomite, gelignite, dynamite or any other ’ ite. \»uat was me cause? it might have been blasting powder, but sunie witnesses say thej saw a blue smoke, others say the smoke was white and some describe it us biown smoke. “ cr. nuiier: Personally, 1 am nu wiser than when 1 entered tne room 3J hours ugu. i'rucoeding, thc Alayor said that the cause 01 the explosion was unknown. Lt seemed mat it was not a benzine explosion, it migni navg been geiig nite, but he did nut thina su, as guiife, nite only exploded under concussion and not under lire. He did nut tninn. there was such a thing as uonomiu, while dynamite was uul used now. The cause of tne explosion was a mystery ami would piuuaoiy be never known. * ‘ 1 here nas been a lax sj ~- tein in regard to me control 01 oui explosives, ihe borough engineer has been lax and some ui the men have been lax. me method of storage uabeen very dilatory indeed, it xs 1.---duty oi me council to provide a suitable container. The luxuess that has been going on in tne past must nut oe permuted co continue and the borougu engineer must exercise strict contiui over the council’s explosives in future,’’ concluded His worship. Air. J. Aiortlwiid remarked that he was very pleased tne Alayor had drawn attention to thc careless manner m which explosives had been stored m the past and was glad tu know that strict supervision would be exercised in future. Ur. Wilshcr endorsed the previous speaker’s remarks in regard tu ihe control of explosives. Regarding the explosion in the tool shed, he felt satisfied that it was nut caused by blasting powder or gelignite, dynamite or any other “itc. ’ lie . honestly thought that it was a benzine explosion and added that the humid conditions that prevailed on Ihe morning the accident were conducive to such an explusion. 'lhe town clerk remarked that every witness had said that there was no smell of benzine in thc shed, but m his opinion that, place positively reeked of benzine fumes. Both doors were wide open when he visited the shed, and the smell of benzine predominated. On the motion of Cr. Loader the council passed a resolution to the effect that the cause of the explosion was II n known. SCHOOL YEAR ENDS j The breaking-up ceremony in connection with the Taihape District High School was held at 2 p.m. on WeducsIday, when the headmaster (Mr A. H. Donne i addressed the pupils and presented the proficiency certificates, good

attendance certificates, and certificates of merit won by Taihape pupils at the recent Palmerston North Show, Herbert Smith 'Trust Cups, and sports certificates. Referring to the proficiency examination, Air Denne said that 40 pupils had been presented and 39 had passed, which was a record for the school, and reflected much credit on the scholars and their teacher (Air »S. J. AlcDonnell), who, owing to indisposition was unable to attend the breaknig-up ceremony, and so share in the honour and glory. Thc speaker went on to point out to those who had gained proficiency certificates, that though they had passed the sixth standard their education was only just beginning. Air AicDonntil had worked hard to get them through their examination and he (Air Dunne) hoped that the pupils had appreciated his efforts and done their best to make his task as light as possible. These remarks applied to all classes. “Some of you think that you are the only ones who work aud are inclined to overlook the fact that besides their work in school, teachers do a great deal of work out uf school, about which you pupils know nothing. The examination results are much better this year than last and the teachers thank you for the way you have worked. It seems tu me that too much importance is attached to athletics and it. certainly does secin strange that to win a medal a pupil has tu be an athlete. I don’t wish to under-rate the value of athletics, which should be encourages in every way, but .1 do think that there should be a medal for the dux of the school. The person who comes top ‘‘outside’’ gets one, and the pupil who comes top “inside” should receive one, too. ’Schoolwork is of more importance than athletics and the one who can win races in school should receive a trophy like those who win them out of school. Air Denne then asked the dux of the school, who happened to be bis daughter Winsome, to step forward, and he presented her with the gold medal which he had won in 1902 for being dux of his school, in conclusion, the headmaster thanked those who had attended well during the year and so helped to keep the school up to its. present grade. Attendance certificates were awarded as follows: — Secondary School. Form 3. —Dorothy Belk, Iris Nicols, Walter Austin, Victor Robinson. Ronald Weller. Form 4. —Frederick Davey, Vincent Hamlin, Wm. King, John Little, Ngaire Aloore, Aimee Sexton. Form 5 and 6. —Patrick Caird, Ronald Aloore, Vaughan Gallagher, Gordon King. Alan Alaclean, Oliver Williams. Primary School. Form ' 2 (Standard 6). —Elizabeth Adlam, Beth MacCallum, Lewis Andrews, Keith AlcDonald, Winsome Denne, Priscilla AlcKenzie, George Guilliard, Nita Needham, Bert Jurgens, Ellen Robertson, Afurray King, Robbe Smith, Henry Leighton, Eskcl Swedlund, Eleanor Simpson, Eric Afarsh, Jean Whiteman, Doreen Winchcombe, Gordon Wham, Form 1 (Standard 5). —Ernest Martin, Bruce Hay, Sidney AlcDonald, Dawn Bailey, Elsie Hobman, Joyce Alartin, Ruby Alclntyre, Peggy Ward, Teata Wehipcihana. Standard 4. —Harry Bradley, Rex Sinclair, David Gregory, Afarjorie Spears, Keith Hay, Douglas Sisson, Roland Jones, Ruth Simpson, Tom Jones, Audrey Tregoweth, Tom Alacintyre, George Wong Nam, Stuart McPhail, Ruth ATcKee. Standard 3. —Joan Fuller, Gladys Gardner, Donald Hayes, Peggy Hill, Jean King, Kenneth King, Bert Martin, Ray Alathieson, lan MacDonald, Floris Neal, Patricia Olliver, Waina Raumaeva, Irene Riley, Alice Spence, Alolly Woodcock, Eva Wong Nani. Standard 2. —Gwen Fletcher, Betty Glenny, Gwen Horton, Nancy Irwin, Valerie AlcDonald, Shirley Neal, Valerie Newport, Doris Robertson, L. White, Colin Gregory, Desmond Jensen, Bernard Lyons, Reg. Alartiu, Keith Alasters, Peter AlaeCallum, Colin Riley. Standard 1. —Hugh Collings, Geoffrey Fuller, Tony Fuller, Alan Horton, George King, Flo Alartin, Joan McLeslie Patrick, John Quirk. Joan Sainty, lan Sinclair. Primer I.—Mavis Collngs, Lyall Jensen, Dorothy Noble, Loye Olsen, Dawn Patrick, Pearl Williams, Jean Newport, Robert Harding, Thomas Jenkins, Basil Neal, Leo Rae. Merit cards won at the Palmerston North A. and P. Show were presented to the following:—Gwen Full]ames Geoffrey Fuller, Joan Sainty, Gloria Aloss, Leslie Quillman, Floris Neal, 1 a trici a Olliver, Waina Raumaewa, Eva Wong Nam, June Graham, Gomer Graham, George Robinson, ’ Baden Winchcombe, George Wong Nam, Jean AlcDonald, Lewis Andrews, John Fuller, Alurray King, Eric Afarsh. Thelma Montgomery, Alex. Afoss. Proficiency Examination. Dux—Winsome Denne (80 per cent, of possible marks in proficiency examination). Second highest marks in proficiency examination—Bessie Adlam (78.5 per cent.) Third.—Eskel Swedlund (78.4 per cent.) Number of pupils presented, 40; number of pupils successful, 39. This is the best record for many years. The successful pupils were as follows:—Pat Abbott, Bessie Adlam. Lewis AndrewSj Francis Bird, Gordon Cooper, Rae Currie, Winsome Denne, Daphne Fleet, Elizabeth Fuller, John’ Fuller, George Guilliard, Una Henderson, Herbert Jurgens, Patricia Kilkolly, Muriel King, Alurray King, Murray King, Henry Leighton, Belli AlaeCallum, Edgar Manson, Erie Marsh, Keith AlcDonald, Priscilla McKenzie, Wm. McKenzie, Thelma McLennan, Phyllis Millar, Vivienne Montgomery, Alex Moss, Nita Needham, John Nicholls, Jean Quigley, Ellen Robinson, Rewa Smith, Robbie Smith, Eskil Swedlund, Russel) Thomson, Gordon Wham, Jim Wham, Jean Whiteman, Dilvs Williams. The dux of tho school. Winsome. Denne, was presented with a gold medal by the headmaster. Athletics. 'Vinners of Herbert Smith Trust ■ Cup.-':— ( Primary Department. Bovs Gordon < Cooper; runner-up, Bruce Hay. Girls. 1

Elva Schofield; runner-up, Winsome Denne. Secondary Department.—Boys, Patrick Caird; runner-up, John Bain. Girls, Alaud Keats; runner-up, Aladge Terry. Sports certificates were-presented to the following: D. Williams, R. Winiata, June Graham, B. Graham, P. Kilkolly, B. Baird, T. AleCarthy, L. Aliller, A. Alathieson P. Graham, P. Baird, Rae Currie, Ngaire Ward, B. AlaeCallum, June White, Joan McPhail, Alarie Cray, P. Devvhirst, B. Lyons, C. Riley, P. Winiata, I. AlcDonald, 11. Bird, R. Mataepare, D. Sisson, George Wong Nani, B. Dunn, B. Niven, H. Smith, B. Hay, K. AlcDonald, R. Thompson. F. Bird, Winsome Denne, Elva Schofield, Gordon Cooper, Aimee Sexton, Maud Keats, Vincent Hamlin, V. Dick, M. Alartin, M. Curtis, W. Austin, D. Bailey, W. Sexton, B. Gallagher, A. Aloore, A. Maclean, John Bain, P. Caird. GENERAL NEWS A schoolboy, George Wong Nam, fell from a ladder at the Taihape District High School on Wednesday, and suffered a broken arm. A schoolgirl, Alargaret Haydon, suffered a sprained ankle while competing in the hop, step, and jump at the school sports. Air R. Kilkolly is at present an in mate of tho Taihape Public Hospital suffering from a fractured leg. A Ford truck owned by Messrs D. McL. Wallace, Ltd. (Palmerston North), and drivey by Mr Hodson .(an employee of tho firm), caught fire while approaching the overhead rail way bridge at Waiouru, and was baifiy damaged. Amongst the contents of the truck were two milking machines that wore, to bo installed at Raetihi and these wore damaged beyond repair except for tho electric motors which Mr Hodson managed to save. Afr Hodson also lost some valuable tools, including blowlamps and a suit of clothes and personal belonging?* contained in a suitcase. The truck was badly damaged.

Thirty years ago tho present headmaster of the Taihape District High School (Air A. 11. Denne) was dux of his svhool and received a gold medal. This year his daughter Winsome [gained a similar distinction and her j father handed the medal on to her at tho break-up ceremony at thc local school on Wednesday. Besides being dux of the school. Winsome Denne was also runner-up for the primary 1 schoolgirls’ championship at the school sports on Tuesday,