A TREMENDOUS EXPLOSION.
When the paddle steamer Patiki sank in the Thames river after her collision with the s s Taniwha a few weeks ago she had on board about 400 cases of the powerful explosive known as gelignite. On the vessel being raised the gelignite was found to be damaged, and orders were given to destroy it. Accordingly it was taken up to a remote part of the Piako river and exploded. The report was a terrific one. The earth for miles around was shaken as if by an earthquake, and people in townships miles away hurried out cf their houses in great alarm. The Maoris in the Piako river settlements were under the impression that another Tarawera eruption was taking place, and for a time they deserted their villages and went helter-skelter all over the country. In houses ten miles away crockeryware was smashed. The destruction of the gelignite was carried out by Mr Cairnie, Government Inspector, in conjunction with an expert recently employed by the Noble Explosive Company.
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Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 12 November 1901, Page 4
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171A TREMENDOUS EXPLOSION. Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 12 November 1901, Page 4
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