GERMAN MINE EXPLOSION.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 April 1919, Page 4

GERMAN MINE EXPLOSION.

FURTHER DETAILS OF THE TRAGEDY.

Auckland, April 24

The enquiry regarding the tragedy at W tikoria Beach on Monday, by which three natives were blown to atoms by a German mine, was opened yesterday. After taking evidence of identification, the enquiry was adjourned sine die to enable expert evidence to be obtained as to the probable cause of the tragedy. The natives were given permission to bury the remains, and pre aratiou are now in hand for a tangi at Puke-

rewa. The beach presented a gruesome sight after the tragedy, fragments of the victims and their horses being strewn in all directions. Mr Ryan, who was first on the scene, stated that there were two explosions. The first was a dull boom, followed almost immediately by a sharp, deafening report. On examining the beach he found two parallel lines drawn on the sands in the d rection of the water, as if some heavy object had been carried in by the tide, dragging on the sand as it came ashore. It is surmised that the three men, seeing an object on the beacli, went out to inspect it and tampered with it, with fatal results. It is also suggested that the mine may have been buried in the sand and exploded by one of the horses standing on it. The natives at the scene of the tragedy stated that some months ago a mine came ashore near the entrance to Raglan Harbour, and exploded with a terrific report against a elilf on tho beach, lhey stated that fragments of the mine were in the possession of the local natives, but no report had ever been made of the occurrence.