BANG!!!

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 99, 15 July 1946, Page 8

BANG!!!

BAFFLING BLISTERING BLAST MYSTIFIELD MECHANIC’S MISTAKE Did ye hear about yon explosion in Strand last Wednesday afternoon. The ‘report’ appeareth in the Beacon herewith: — Not content with the explanation that it was merely another myth which had been exploded a sluper neuth (pardon) working (allegedly) for the Beacon resolved to claw his way to the very root of the matter. The search, be it said, led directly to a garage bearing the name-plate of one certain Wheeler, and there the mystery was unfolded. Apparently a mechanic was engaged upon soldering up a hole in a petrol tank, belonging to one of Mr D. Sullivan’s vehicles. The tank of course, was detached (the air of our star R. was not). Whilst heating up the soldering iron with a welding torch, the mechanic in question failed to notice the sparks creeping nearer, ever nearer, to an opening in the tank. (This latter, be it said, allegedly contained no petrol. It did, however, have thereih a few teaspoonfuls, and some vapour). Suddenly, several sparks leapt playfully in through the opening and (read top headline). With a whoomph which fairly rocked the whole structure, the tank suddenly hanged shape from square to round; both ends blew out, one striking an nnvil, the other taking two square inches of paint off a Model A, whilst the mechanic (who actually was very lucky to escape without serious injury) spent the rest of the afternoon endeavouring to disassociate his name from that a certain Mr G. Fawkes (well known in connection with English Parliamentary history). The effect of the exploding tank was felt throughout the building and other employees took a decidedly dim view of the blast of’hot air which almost knocked them off their feet.

That, however, is the story, with the exception of one small point. Later, the aforesaid, Mr D. Sullivan sent his representative to collect the tank. He is at present awaiting the account.