BOMB OUTRAGE

Hokitika Guardian, 5 February 1926, Page 3

BOMB OUTRAGE

A MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR. i Y TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. AUCKLAND, Feb. 1. A dastardly outrage was perpetrat'd at Mission Bay, Koliimarama, early .iris morning, a Limb exploding with terrific tone under a house occupied :iv two contractors and three others. 'The room was partially wrecked and ■ trewn with splintered wood and glass. The sole occupant of the room under vliioii the bomb v,as placed bad a linrow escape from serious injury. For the past few mouths about (it) nen have been employed in forming streets and carrying out drainage work .-a what is known as the Mission Bay ■." state, but more familiarly known as be old New Zealand Flying School. ,liich was for many years conducted 1--y Walsh Bros. Tb.e contractors are Messrs Gorso ami Mullaii. and both hose moil, who are in charge of the road forming operations, reside in a six-roomed house, situated near Koliiaiarama Wharf. 'The bouse is partial’v surrounded by trees and is only 20 •ards from the beach. Mr l’liillip Henry Gosse occupied the trout room in the south-west corner while bis partner bad the other front room. Three others employed on the job, resided in other rooms. All retired about 0.30 last- night. Shortly after 12.30 this morning, a terrific explosion occurred right under Air Goose’s room. This caused the whole bouse to tremble. A link* about five feet square was made in the floor of the *oom, tile inch-thick flooring boards being trim as if they had been made >f paper. Air Gosse was awakened by the explosion, and, although somewhat dazed and shaken, he got out of cal to investigate. Air Afulbin and

itlier.s in the house rushed to Air Basse's room, which was full of smoko and cement dust. The windows were -battered, small pieces of glass being listributed all over the room. Fortunately for Mr Gosse. lie was sleeping ltiont seven feet away from the gapdig hole in the floor tinder which tho bomb was placed.

Assisted by some of the men en•anipcd on the settlement. Alessrs Gosse and Mullan immediately searched the vicinity, but were unable to obtain a clue as lo the identity of the criminal responsible for the dastardly II! t.

All examination of the premises showed that portion of the Woodwork vhii It covered the brick piles supporting the house was torn, enabling tho miscreant to either crawl several feet under the room, or else push the bomb into the desired position with the aid of a long stick.

Although there are no les.s than a lozen tents, each containing several men, a few paces to the westward of the damaged room, none of the occupants heard a sound until the bomb exploded. Several sharp missiles used in the construction of the bomb shot out in all ireetions, some tearing boles in the tents.

“[ cannot account for the outrage at all.” said Mr Gos.se in conversation this morning. “At first I thought that the house had collapsed. The building shook and trembled, and dust and smoke filled my room. The force if the explosion dazed me for a limp. I cannot suggest any motive for the tiling at all. I have paid a few men off from time to time. ImL I have not quarrelled with anybody, and T do not, know why any person should attempt such a thing as to injure me.” On? of Mr Gosse's employees said that he had worked for Mr Gosse for a long time, and had always found him “a decent sort of a boss.” “While rather a strict man who will not stand any nonsense, lie is a very fair chap who pays high wages,” the man added. Immediately information of the outrage reached the police station this morning. Detective Barling went to Kohimarnma to investigate the matter. Under the house he found about einht feet of fuse, and the tangled remains of the bomb. This contained, besides other things, a fair quantity of cement.