FLYING METAL

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 48, 20 November 1920, Page 8

FLYING METAL

CRANE COG-WHEEL COLLAPSES ACCIDENT AT PARLIAMENTARY BUILDINGS A rather extraordinary accident occurred at tho new Parliamentary Buildings nt about 11.30 a.m. yesterday, and very fortunate indeed was it that no lives wcro lest. As tlie result of a breakage ill a big cogged wheel which controlled the winding gear responsible for hauling the bricks, mortar, and marble blocks into position, a full load of sand and cement crashed to the ground, and as tho wire cable flew loose the wheel revolved and collapsed, pieces flying in all directions. Fragments of the cogged wheel were found all over the Parliamentary grounds and even oil,Lanibton Quay. One large piece was hurled right across Lambton Quay, and fe'l in ,the grounds of Government Buildings, narrowly missing Mr. Frank Tama, a Government nies* sengcr. Another piece of l iron, aboil* 201b. iu weight, actually struck Government Buildings and left its mark. Such was the consternation caused by tho sereamibg noiso of the wire, together with*the hurtling iron, that many gathered the impression that a bomb had exploded itf Parliamentary Buildings. The man in charge of the crane was ■'•iken completely by surprise, ( but was fortunate in escaping injury of any kind. Tliti box containing the sand and cement fell between the old and new .Parliamentary Buildings, on to n post; which snapped in two. The , box was smashed. With the big wheel pretty.-well'destroy-ed, it will.be difficult to say what caused the accident, as the massive cogs appeared to be strong enough to stand any strain put on "them.