TOWN HALL FOUNDATIONS BLASTED

Grey River Argus, 1 September 1948, Page 2

TOWN HALL FOUNDATIONS BLASTED

Debris Damages Some Windows Familiar though residents may have been with the reports of Cobden quarry blasts, there yesterday were explosions in town which had some people guessing, and others more than mildly surprised. Heavy concrete foundations, especially on the western side of the old concert chamber of the Town Hall, now being demolished, are proving major obstacles to the contractor, and yesterday afternoon it became necessary to commence blasting operations. A number of shots were fired. The first sljot was at about 1.30 p.m., and, though its effect was quite as designed, with no damage beyond its range, pieces of rubble were blown some distance, a few reaching the yard of the post office. There was, however, another charge let off shortly before 5.30 p.m., which had a greater effect, sending stones and pieces of concrete' in various directions. Some pieces of the. debris reached as far as Tainui Street, whilst in Mackay Street many fragments could be seen between that street and the Town Hall. site. One stone, estimated at over five pounds in weight, struck and smashed th- 1 •fate glass window at the western end of Truman’s shop in Mackay Street. The shop sign of Keating’S store over the footpath, at the corner o-’ Albert and Tainui Streets, was split by another piece of debris, the lower part of the woodwork falling to the ground. In Wicks’ shop there was a hole made in one of the leadlights, whilst two of the windows on the, Albert Street side of the Union S.S. Coy’s office were also broken. The blast itself was heavy, and particles of .concrete or stones were showered on various roofs. There is understood to be insurance cover for such damage as has resulted, but in view of the effect of charges used, some other method of demolition may be used, athe 20-ton bulldozer on the job has Proved incapable of removing tin heavier foundations. Il was planned to pull the tower into the basement under the old concert chamber to-morrow, but it is not known if this will be possible so soon.