DANGER TO LIFE.

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 18987, 3 July 1933, Page 6

DANGER TO LIFE.

TREACHEROUS EXPLOSIVE. USE OF SODIUM CHLORATE. DEPARTMENTAL PROSECUTION. “This case has been brought by the Department to glvo publicity to the extreme danger of using sodium chlorate as an explosive,” stated Mr R. Girling Butcher, Chief Inspector of Explosives, In the Hamilton Magistrate’s Court this morning when Robert James Watson, quarryman, pleaded guilty to a charge of manufacturing for practloal use as an explosive, a ohlorate powder, contrary to the Dangerous Goods Act, 1908. Mr Butcher, representing the Department of Internal Affairs, said the defendant was employed in a Jimostone quarry at Te Paliu on March 30 last. As a substitute for gelignite, which he could not obtain, and which was the usual explosive for rock blasting purposes, Watson mixed sodium chlorate and sugar in equal quantities. Sodium chlorate, pointed out Mr Butcher, was used to a large extent by farmers for destroying ragwort. Watson had nearly completed loading the charge and was tapping it in with a wooden stick when an explosion occurred. As a result defendant lost two fingers of his left hand and severely injured the arm. While the department considered he had been sufficiently punished and did not press for a heavy penalty it had prosecuted with the object of giving publicity to the extreme dangers attendant on the use of sodium chlorate in the manner described. “ Extremely Hazardous.”

“We have reason to believe that sodium chlorate is used largely by farmers for log splitting, stumping, etc., and while in many cases no damage might be done it is nevertheless extremely hazardous,” Mr Butcher added. He pointed out that sodium chlorate had been in use for many years but it had not been recognised as an approved explosive in any country except with special types manufactured with deadening agents to reduce the chances of detonation. The department had had brought under its notice a number of cases in which clothes became impregnated with sodium chlorate, which dried up, and became highly sensitive to friction. Such clothes were likely to burst into llame or even explode. A death through this cause had recently occurred in the Morrinsville district. Sodium or potassium chlorate when mixed with any organic matter became very sensitive to a blow or friction. Advice ha'd been given al Farmers’ Union meetings that sodium chlorate was cheap and effective as an explosJ ive and could be obtained by farmers without any difficulty. Farmers had been told that it cost only 2Jd a lb. compared with 2s per lb. for gelignite.

Mr Butcher said the maximum penalty under the Act for the use of this material as an explosive was £SO. Only a’small quantity between two wooden surfaces was sufficient to cause detonation. It was particularly dangerous when used for rock work oc splitting logs, especially when log-splitters were employed. Mi- Butcher handed to the Magistrate a circular issued by the Agricultural Department warning farmers about tho dangers of llie explosive. Not Using It Again. Defendant, who wore his left arm in a sling, explained that lie was not aware that the use of the explosive was illegal, lie did not intend to use sodium chlorate or any other explosive again.

“ I agree that you have received a greater punishment than any line could indict,” said Mr S. L. Paterson, S.M., who presided. “ This prosecution has been rightly brought. Only two days ago a case was brought before me in Morrinsvllle arising out of the death of a farmhand who sprayed ragwort with sodium chlorate. His clothes were affected and were ign.ted by a cigarette and he lost his life. “ | believe It was said at a farmers’ meeting that sodium chlorate was cheap and simple. It might bo cheap but It Is any thing but simple. It is extremely treacherous and hazardous.” Defendant was convicted and ordered to pay the costs 10s.