THE FIREWORKS ACCIDENT.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 7 September 1901, Page 4

THE FIREWORKS ACCIDENT.

(pee press association.)

Inveecakginp, September G. In tbe Supreme Court, Hugh MeGilvray was charged with m anti aught byfiring a, rocket in the street and culpably killing Nancy L. Sneyd. This is a case in which accussed, captain of the s. s. Invercargill, brought the ship’s signal rockets to the platform erected in the main street of the town for a display of fireworks on the occasion of the return of troopers on the 12th of July. A rocket charged with powder and gun cotton was fired from.a temporary socket, which was shattered by a primary charge, and the rocket, feel on the platform, where the gun cotton exploded and fragments of the metal case killed Mrs Sneyd, and injured more or less severely some 19 persons. Mr Sim for the accussed, admitted that his act caused the woman’s death, but argued that had not Trooper Wright, who was on the platform, kicked the rocket as it fell, Mrs Sneyd, would not have been killed; On that ground counsel claimed the acquittal of accused. It was also argued that the Reception Committee with the Mayor at the head had erected the platform for a fireworks’ display and that the police had not objected; that accused was induced to believe that letting off fireworks was lawful Accused seemed to have thought that, he was taking sufficient care, as in firing there was likely to be the imposition of greatest danger. His Honor said that he intended to put the issues before the jury as a verdict of guilty or not guilty. 'lt might involve serious consequences to accused. The issues 'in effect were:—One, was accused-guilty of an unlawful act; two, bad, he taken reasonable precaution and

had he used reasonable care to avoid the

danger of firing a rocket to the best of „ his information; three, was Wright guilty of the unlawful act in kicking the rocket off the platform ; four, was Mrs Sneyd killed by the explosion of the ' rocket. His Honor said that the second issue was really the. only one before the jury. After three and a quarter hours’ deliberation the jury returned affirmative answers to all the issues except number three, and His Honor said that the jury practically discharged accused from the serious elements of the charge. Accused was ordered to come up for sentence when called upon.