“SHOT” GOES WILD

Evening Star, Issue 22448, 19 September 1936, Page 3

“SHOT” GOES WILD

A QUARRY SENSATION COTTAGE AMD WORKSHOPS UNDER ROCK BOMBARDMENT [Pek United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, September 18. A small crowd of spectators at Smeed’s quarry on the edge -of the Waikato River, near iilio had assembled to watcli the hr „ two-ton charge of gelignite this afternoon saw a far more spectaculai si o ht than they expected. The charge blew out, and, in addition to the fall of a Targe of rock cliff, a considerable quantity of rock was hurled through the air os if fired from a gigantic gun A threeroomed cottage, the home of one quarry workmen, which was situated about 200 yards from the cliff face, collapsed beneath tho terrific bombardment of rock. The quarry workshops, standing a little further back, were damaged extensively, a shed in front being completely wrecked. A big bmiding housing valuable crushing plant, was pierced by falling rock numerous gaping holes being torn in the root and walls, which are 'f corrugated iron A motor truck parked near the workshops suffered to such an extent th at it looked as if someone had attempted to demolish it with a sledge hammer. Water spurted from a storage tank, which was so riddled with holes as to resemble

a, seive. , ~ Luckily, all those present were well rwav from the danger zone A number of hens which were scratching about !n front of the cottage prior to the explosion were not so fortunate, uut of about 20 only two survived, many being completely buried, while the remains of others were streu n in all directions * The damage suffered by the company’s plant was not so great as at first appeared probable. A valuable electric motor was unharmed and other machinery also escaped serious damage The workman’s cottage, however, was reduced to matchwood, and the furniture, crockery, and clothing formed a tangled mass of wreckage. Of the contents, which were not insured very little was salvaged in an undamaged condition.