GELIGNITE CHARGE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 222, 19 September 1936, Page 9

GELIGNITE CHARGE

CLIFF FACE “BLOWN OUT” COTTAGE SMASHED TO MATCHWOOD OTHER DAMAGE CAUSED [Per Press Association] AUCKLAND, Sept. 18. A small crowd of spectators at Smeed’s Quarry, on the edge of the Waikato River, above Tuakeu, who had assembled to witness the firing of a two-ton charge of gelignite this afternoon, saw a far more spectacular sight than they expected. The charge ‘‘blew out.” and, in addition to a fall of a large expanse of rock cliff, a considerable quantity of rock was, hurled through the air as if fired from a gigantic gun. A three-roomed cottage, the home of one of the quarry workmen, which was situated about 200 yards from the cliff face, collapsed beneath the terrific bombardment of rock. The quarry workshops, standing a little further back, were damaged extensively, a shed in front being completely wrecked. A big building, housing a valuable crushing plant, was pierced by falling rock, numerous gaping holes being torn in the roof and walls, which are of corrugated iron. A. motor-truck parked near the workshops suffered to an extent that it looked as if someone had attempted to demolish it with a sledgehammer, Water spurted from a stor-age-tank, so riddled with holes as to resermble a sieve. Luckily, all those present were well away from the danger zone. A number of hens which were scratching about in front of the cottage prior to the explosion were not so fortunate. Out of about twenty only two survived, many being completely buried while the mangled remains of others were strewn in all directions. The damage suffered by the company’s plant was not so great as at first appeared probable. A valuable electric motor was unnarmed. and other machinery also escaped serious damage. The wononen’s cottage, however, was reduced to matchwood and the furniture, crockery and clothing were transformed into a tangled mass of wreckage. The contents were not insured. Very little was salvaged in an undamaged condition.