HUTT FIRE TRAGEDY

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2119, 9 April 1914, Page 5

HUTT FIRE TRAGEDY

1 EXPLOSION THEORIES MUCH TALK ABOUT GELIGNITE SOME INTERESTING EVIDENCE. THE BOY COOPER IN WITNESS-BOX ABOUT A STRANGE LIGHT; The inquest into.'the death of the victims of the Upper Hutfc csplosion tragedy was continued in the Town Hall, Upper Hutt, yesterday, before the District Coroner (Mr. W. G.Riddcll, S.M.). The victims were: Constable Denis Mahoney; James Uomcsky, lato postmaster at Upper Hutt; William Daniel Flyun, railway guard; George William Taylor, railway porter;' Jonn Wesley Vivian, an employee at Messrs. Benge and Pratt's store, where the- disaster occurred; Michael Toohey, bridge'contractor; and Evard Edward Henry Polling, a Jad of 18 years. ....■■' '. Chief-Detective Broborg conducted the .proceedings, for the police; Mr. C. B. Morison, K.C., with Mr. H. P. O'Leary, appeared in the interests of Messrs.Benge and Pratt; Mr. T. M. Wilford ■ appeared for Mrs. Comesky, Mrs. Mahoney, and Mrs. Flynu, widows of three of the deceased, and for tho relatives of E. Polling, J. Vivian, nnd G. Taylor; Mr. E. M. gladden watched tho inquiry in tho interests of the New Zealand Acetylene Gas • Co., and the Heat, Light, and Supplies Co.; and Mr. H. E. Evans appeared, for the Guardian Assurance Co., which office held Messrs. Benge and Pratt's risk. Benge and Pratt's Position. Prior to the calling of evidence, Mr. Morison mado an application ou behalf of his clients, Mossrs. Benge and Pratt. There was no definite charge made against them, .he said, but they felt tney might have to answer two charges; a. civil action by the relatives of the deceased, on tho assumption that they were responsible, for the explosion, or a more serious charge. They were therefore in the position of defendants. They did not desire to take any advantage they might have of refusing to give evidence, but. he wanted to say, regarding the question, of gelignite, which. was suggested as tho cause 'of the explosion, that lis clients, on or about •February'.6, mtthe ordinary course of ■ business, ■' received something like 601b/ of gelignite from E. W. Mills and Co. They could satisfy the Court that before the time of the fire every stick of that had been disposed of. Messrs. Benge and Pratt would answer all questions. He had asked Professor .Easterfield to make certain investigations into the explosion, and he was in the. course of those investigations now. He understood: tho Crown, were also calling certain expert witnesses,-and he submitted that in common justice 'the case should bo completed from tho point of i view of tho Crown before tho witnesses ho desired to call should be heard, or : before Messrs. Bongo and Pratt wero : put in the witness-box. The relevancy < of their evidence would depend to a < great extent upon the ev.idencejwhich; j was led'against them, and that "should ] be made first. There was another mat; ; tor of importance: the acetylene gas 1 generator had been- taken nway from < the back of the b.uddingi,.9pd he would 'j like Professor Eas6ffield§«. inspect it. i Ho understood that it was locked up at 1 the-present time. It might result m a 1 oucstiou as to whether it was an acety- t lene explosion, or an explosion of some- t thing else, and it was of the utmost j importance that they should have every t opportunity to ascertain tho relative facts, which might tend to assist the s Court in coming to some decision, as o

to tho explosion: Ho would ask, first, that whatever evidence was called which might effect Benge and Pratt should be hoard before they were called, and the. Crown should complete their evidence, and any theories advanced bj experts, beforo ho should be asked to call expert evidence.

The.Coroner saw nonobjection, to.-Pro-fessor Easterfield viewing the generator.

Question of Experts. . Chief Dotcctivo Broberg said that, as far. as he knew then, it-was 'not his intention to call expert evidence. He suggested, that Mr. Morison should iirst call his experts, and then the Crown should have the- opportunity to call expert evidence. Mr. Wilford thought that all the evidence which the Crown desired to call, should be called before expert evidence was called. Messrs. Benge and Pratt should not be called to give evideuco till' they know all the evidenco. which was going to be called, so that they could answer it. It could not be said

that they were going to answer expert evidence. Expert evidence was only evidence o'f opinion, and not of fact. Ho suggested that all evidence' should bo called before Benge and Pratt were called. Crown Should Complete Its Case, Mr. Morison: I do think tho Crown should complete its case, both as to expert and other, evidence. There has been an analysis made by the Government analyist of certain spots found on ono of tho. witness's coat. Evidence of this- will be called.

Chief Dctectivoßroberg: It will largely depend upon the evidence of Benge and Pratt whether; any expert evidence is needed by the Crown. . The experts should be in possession of 'the whole of the facts before they'aro called. ■Mr. Morison: Surely Benge and Pratt should know the result of tho analysis of the spots! All that I am asking'foils the most elementary justice. The police get certain information, and they should givo it to us, and what information I get I will give to them. •Chief Detective Broberg: I am de- - pending upon facts, not upon expert evidence; .. . "■

• Mr. Wilford: I' suggest that if Messrs. Benge and Pratt, after being cross-examined, can satisfy this Court that there was no'gelignite in the stcie, what does it matter to' us about expert evidence?

Tho Coroner: I think all tlio facts should be disclosed, before the question of exports conies up. Mr. Sladden suggested that in fairness to his clients lie should bo allowed to call evidence to refute tho theories put forward that tho explosion was caused by acetylene.

The Coroner: I think tho application is rather, premature. You might make it later.

Andrew Hunter was iraialled. Ho was one of tlio first at the scene and assisted to take a safo out of the back of the building, when the firo started. •When ho got there tho firo was iußt breaking through the room nt the back of tho grocery department. To Mr. Wilford: It was after the explosion that tho water from the main was turned on.

Then it could not hnvo been water that caused the carbide to generate £ns ? Witness repeated that the water v.ns not turned on till after the explosion. The fire of tho explosion was of a lie,ht colour. To Mr. Morison: Tho.explosion appeared to tako place in the centre of tho building. Direction of Explosion. James Percival Hall, locomotive employee, Upper Hutt, said that ho was present r t t thofiro, a few minutes after midnight. .When the explosion occur-.

red ho was in the bakoliouso at tin back, but about threo minutes later was on the Main Koad, in front of tho building. The south-east corner of the building, next to tho hotel, where Edwards's office had been, seemed to bo all blown down. The wall of Bengo anc Pratt's building, adjoining, was alsc blown down. The drapery side, at the other end of tho front of the building, was then standing, and ho thought 8 portion of tho store wall nearest tc llazelwood's store was also standing. All about where the south wall of the • drapery department had stood was in a blaze. George Lay, J.P., photographer, Upper iftitt, submitted a photo of the ruins, taken about 5.30 a.m. on the Sunday after tho explosion. Prior to the explosion, he said, ho was working in tho grocery and in the drapery dcpartment ' of the store: He was in tho drapery department when tho explosion occurred. The explosion was quite half an hour after tho fire started. He could notsay how he got out of the ruins after the explosion. When he recovered from the shock, the grocery department was shattered. All the upper portion of the walls of tho south-east corner were down, and Edwards's office was lying on the ground. The walls of the drapery department were not intact, but they were standing. Directly after the explosion everything burst into names. Chief-Detective Broberg: Was the di-viding-wall standing at the time of the explosion?—" Yes. The fire had not then reached the drapery department." Was the wall standing after the explosion?—"Oh, yes, it must have been standing, or clso where would we have been." Witness further said that if the wall had not been left standing he could not possibly have escaped, as ho yas taking goods from shelves against the wall when the explosion came. Mr. Wilford: Can you tell the Court whether there was more than one boom or bang?—"l only heard one." Was it a boom or a bang?—" Decidedly, not a boom." Did you soe any particular light?— "No. It could not very well come through to whero I was." Was there any smoke in the drapery department prior to the explosion ?—"I could not notice any." Did, you subsequently hear any explosions or detonations of any kind?— "No." Several Small Explosions. Was your mind capable of hearing any detonations after the main one?— "Ihere were no explosions of the volume of tho first one, but there were small explosions, which I attributed to the explosion of bottles,' or something else?" The explosion of cartridges?—"No; cartridges mako a very slight explosion." Then the explosions were not caused by cartridges?—"No; I took it to be tho explosion of bottles." Mr M.orison: Was there any predominant samell after the explosion?— "No.". Mr. A. j. M'Curdy's Evidence.

Angusi John M'Curdy, printer and settler, Upper Hutt, said that -lie had had experiences in high explosives in lom i or cor P i - 0n °"° occasion, hi 1881, lie had laid a mino to blow up tho sunken ship Camillo. off Kaiwarra. Ho had also assisted Captain Faulkiner in blasting operations. Ho would not say he was competent' to give expert evidence on explosives. On tho night of tho firo lie was crossing -tho Hutt iv.ver, on horseback. He heard the explosion when he was on the cliff, about lOuit. abovo the Main Hoad, where the tiro was. This was.about a milo and a quarter away. Ho coul? see the fire, 'i'lio explosion was at eight minutes past midnight, and resembled "a "lesser, followed by a larger, crash, liko that of a largo calibre gun. Tho one followed the. other immediately. He did.not think the ordinary person, without specinl experience, would have been able to distinguish between tiio sounds. Chief-Detective Broberg: . From the sound of the explosion did you form an opinion as to what kind of an explosive it was?—" Only that it was a high explosive. It soundoc'f liko a detonation, followed almost instantly by an explo- I sion." ■ ' . Shot into tho Air.

James Grace Toohlll, engine-driver, said that lie arrived at the scene of the fire at 11.DO p.m. on Saturday. Ho had returned to his home,'and was going back to the tire when the explosion came. He was about 150 yards away. Tho first he heard was a slight boom sound, .then a larger sound, and immediately following a terrific explosion, lhe.roof, about the- middle of the building, appeared to go up in the air. Sparks were shot up to a great height, and-a good deal of flame came out towards the hotel side. There were several smaller explosions later. They might have been caused by cartridges going off. , D , Mr. Wilford: Was there any colour made-by tho explosion?— "I saw no colour;" _How far . were you away ?—' 'About 150.yards. .There was a force which struck .ine, and stopped mo walking." Merton Horton,' paymaster, Maymorn Estate Co., that ho was two miles awa-y.'wheh the explosion occurred. Ho heatd it distinctly, and it sounded liUo a high explosive. \

Gelignite and Blasting Powder. Albert Francis Cooper, a boy of 15 years of age,' said that at the time of the Sre he was'in the employ of ienge and Pratt, and had been working lor theiri since July last. Chief-Detective Broberg: During that time, were you aware tnat explosives wore'kept in stock?—" Yes." What explosives were there?—" Gelignite and blasting powder." How much gelignite have you seen at onri time? —"A case." Witness indicated that tho case would be about i!ft. long, lit. wideband 9in. deep. How much blasting powder have you fiocri?—"A keg." Have you seen,them at one and tho same time? —"Yes." Where wore they kepf!*—"Tfpstairs.'" Did they stoek ! it all the time you were there?—"l could- not say." Wcro thero some occasions; when there was no gelignite in stock?—" Yes." Were there many such occasions, or was it general <'to have gelignite in stock?—"l could not tell you that." _ Can you remember any particular timo when thero was none in stock?— "I think it was before Christmas, because I had to go to-Hazel-wood's for some." During the week prior to the fire wero you in the room where tho'gelignite was kept?—" Yes. I cannot say what for." What was the gelignite kept in?—"ln the box in which it came." "Whero was the blasting powder kept?—"ln tho same room."

A Case of Gelignite. Do you remember a enso of gelignite coming into tho placo about I'ebruary 6?—" Yes." What becamo of it?—"lt -was taken upstairs to the front room, as far as I can remember." When was it you last saw some of that gelignite?—"lt was two or three weeks before tho firo." Can you give me some idea as to how much was there?—" No. . I noror handled tho stuff." How was the box kept?—"lt was covered over with a sort of oilcloth." Tho stuff with which tho gelignite caso was lined?—" Yes." When did you last see blasting powder there?—"At Christmas time, when I emptiod the barrel for Mr. Vivian, who was killed." You were at the fire?—" Yes." ' Where were you?—" Opposite the post office." Did you make any remark about explosives prior to tho explosion ?—"Not I as far-as I can remember,"... J

Do you know Mr. Broad and Mr. Axmstrong?—"Yes.' '• Did you see them.—"l can't remember seeing them.'' Did you speak to Jlr. M'Curdy?— les." Did you say anything regarding explosives?— "Yes." What did you say?—" That there was some gelignite upstairs." „Do you know why you said it?— No. Were you. .surprised, ■ with the knowIcdgeyou had, when the explosion came?—"l n - as i not exactly surprised, wi WaS sur P" scd at the concussion.'' "hat do you mean by the concussion? — 'I was surprised it was 50 strong." You know nothing as to the cause of the fire-?—" No." Mr. Evans: Had the oass been opened after it went upstairs?—" Yes," How long after it went upstairs did you see it?—" Two or three'days." was any gelignite taken out before it was taken upstairs?—"l think so." Do you know how much?—" No." Do you remember any blasting powder being got m between Christmas aud the explosion?—" No." further, witness said that when he saw the keg of blasting powder and the box ot gelignite ho could not say that the keg was full of powder. He .never saw carbido in the main building. {0 Mr. Morison: Witness did not remember Mr. Pratt making a drawer out ot the gelignite box. The keg of emt m ? POl might tavo ™*- n2u I Mori \ on: rj *o gelignite bos might have been empty?—"lcs " I'htomas Wm. Cooper, fruiterer. upper Hutt, said that ho was ui the bakehouse- at the back when the explosion took place. Mr. Ben.ge was also there. Ho heard a scream outside, and Mr. Bongo said: "There is somebodv hurt out there." Philip Wilkie, a driver in the employ ot Mr. Hazelwood, merchant, Upper. Hutt. said that on March 20 he sold the deceased Vivian ono dozen detonators. They wero charged to Benge and Pratt. Vivian did not then purchase any gelignite.

Purchase of Gelignite. Stanley Raper, farm manager, Silverstream, said that from August to November last lie liad a number of men stumping on the farm. A quantity of explosives were used, and these were' purchased from Benge and Pratt. During August he was supplied' with about slb. of gelignite, at Benge and 1 Pratt's. He did not place an order for it, but got it when he asked for it, between August and November ho purchased about 501b. of gelignite, from Benge and Pratt. He had made no purchases since November 20. . Chief Detective Broberg: If Mr. Pratt says you purchased 251b.. of gelignita in I'ebruary last, is that correct^ —"No." Did you get detonators with the gelignite?—" About three times," Jlr. Morison: Xou did purchase ilSib. of gelignite in November?—"l think 1 purchased about 201b. on November 20." Gcorgo Wilson Fothergill, sawmill manager, residing at Upper Butt, said that about January 31 he got 21b, of gelignite at Bengo and Pratt's for a Mr. Sumnex. He had purchased none

since. Neil Carmichael, employed at- a sawmill at Akatarawa, gave evidence, In reply to Chief Detective Broberg h« said that if Mr. Bengc said he had sold him gelignite it would bo incorrect. He may have got a. packet of cartridges, but never any explosives. Mr. Morison: You tried ,to get some gelignite at Bengo and Pratt's?—"Yes. but could not get it." John Hobort Patton, who was in the employ of Messrs'. Bengc and Pratt at tho time of tho explosion, stated that he had worked for tho ftrial for about tb.reo years, latterly as ,1 driver. During the week ending March 28 lis assisted to take stock. It was not-usual to. havo a largo number of cartridges in stock. There were then abaut IOCiO, 1 Ho had no knowledge as to whether explosives wero stored ou the premises, A few flasks of blasting powder were kept. Gelignite was kept there abtmt 18 months ago. It was brought in in tho morning, and taken out in the afternoon. _To Mr. Sladden: The downstairs portion of tho promises wero lit by aceiylenp gas. There were no burners itpstairs. There was no carbide stored on. the premises. On Mr. Wilford's request, the boy Cooper was recalled. Mr. Wilford: You say you did not know whether there was any gelignite in the case upstairs. Did you mean that?—"l meant I had not looked to see." The cloth covering this top of the box had fallen in a little at one end, as if some packets had been taken out. ; The other end was flat. A Moving Light, Leonard Clough, principal baker --in the employ of Uenge and Pratt, said that on the night of the tire lie had been to the pictures. Afterwards he went to his bakehouse, at the back of Bonge and Pratt's. Under the verandah he almost ran into Mr. Bciigo, who was going into the store. As witness was going into the bakehouse he noticed a light in tho upper part of thestore, as if someone was carrying a candle. When witness loft tho. bakehouse, ho waited for Mr. Berige to eomo out.of tho stables. Witness asked Mr. Benge had he been upstairs, and Mr. Benge said yes. Witness then said: "That accounts for' the light," Witness then went away alone. Ho next saw Bengo on Sunday morning, and Bengo said: "That light must have been there last night. That was what took mo upstairs." Further, witness said that Bongo said he thought he saw a glimmer upstairs, as if from the street lamp, and ho went up to investigate. Formal evidence as to the damage dono by the fire and explosion was nestcalled.

Gelignite Deals in March. Henry Bolton, labourer, Upper Hutt, stated that on March 20 ho purchased Is. worth of detonators and 2s. -id. ! worth of gelignito from Messrs. Bengo and Pratt. He got twelve sticks of ! gelignite and twelve detonators. Thatwas the second occasion on which he had purchased gelignite froni • Beuge and Pratt's. Mr.' Vivian got the detonators from Hazelwood's. He had asked for 21b. of gelignite, but only got ljlb. Mr. Vivian told him that was all there was in the shop. Chief-Detective Broberg: If Mr. Vivian had to send out for the detona* tors, why did ho not send out for tho balance of the- gelignite?—"He had the gelignito wrapped up, and I told him ' not to trouble, as I could get more if I wanted it." You swear Mr. Vivian said there was ] only ? — "Yes:" Do you know that ten sticks go to the pound? Twelve sticks would only be 1 1-olb.—"I don't know how it runs." Chiof-Detective Broberg suggested that tho witness should be asked to attend at tho next hearing in Wellington. Mr. Morison: What is the suages tion? _ Chief-Detectivo Broberg: Tho sugges- I tion is that his evidence is important. I never saw him till to-day. The inquiry was adjourned till 10.80 a.m. on April 17, in Wellington. Tho largest cathedral in England is that of York, the area of which is 63.808 square feet, St. Paul's being the second largest, with an area of 59,700 square feet. "Votes for women! Votes for wemen!" .Screamed the angry suffragette; "Votes for women! votes for women! We shall got our own way yet." As the lady's paroxysms Made her hoarse—up spoke SFfirucr; "Get your speaking voice in orderVote for Woods' Great Peppermint Cure!"-AdTt