SERIOUS BOILER EXPLOSION AT OAMARU.

Evening Star, Issue 4129, 22 May 1876, Page 2

SERIOUS BOILER EXPLOSION AT OAMARU.

[By Telegraph.]

Oamaru, May 22. The ‘Mail’ publishes, per pigeon express, particulars of a terrible boiler explosion which occurred at 8 o’clock this ing at the junction of the Waiareka and / Maheno. The contractors’ small engine,: ; known as the Rover, had just got up steam, and the men were proceeding to work when the boiler exploded with a terrific crash. Taylor, the contractors’ clerk, was blown up in the air a height of thirty feel*. and of course was killed instantaneously.' The other men were frightfully ■ ■bruised : and six were scalded. At . the time sthese particulars were furnished, us one man, had not been fonnd. Portions of the engine and boiler were scattered about for yards round. The wounded men have been con- * veyed in expresses to the hospital. The Trailer was one purchased bobdlo time since from Mr Cairns, of Dunedin. It hap been at work here since Match. The explosion was heard four miles away.

FURTHER PARTICULARS. Mitchell, the engine-driver, -was fright. fully mangled and cannot possibly live. * ■ Colin Campbell, who was standing nejir the. engine, was slightly injured. The cause of . J the accident is supposed to be a flaw in the boiler. The safety valve was tied down’ # with a thick piece of string in order to make' . the boiler generate steam. Taylor’s frightful death has caused quite a sensation in town. He was generally respected. Portions of the’ > boiler were blown 100 yards away. The smash up is complete. The engine was built by Messrs Kincaid, M‘Queen, and Co. for Mr A. Cairns, and for a considerable time worked here most effi-; • ciently, carrying waggons connected with f the prison department.