HOUSE WRECKED

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1932, Page 6

HOUSE WRECKED

MYSTERIOUS EXPLOSIONS

VALUABLE CURIOS DESTROYED

!By TtUgraph —Per Press Association)

AUCKLAND, May 24

After Mrs Fred Heaton, of Matatoki, had lit a fire in the dining-room at 5 ,p.m. on Saturday'there was a deafening explosion. Banning from the kitchen ;she was beaten Back by flames, and the house, one of largest in the (Lower Thames Valley;'-‘was destroyed, with all its contents, 'including a valuable collection of \ curios and . ; V V* -i 1 • • • china.

“‘•-It is thought fnat there'“Tnav have beep, a detonator in the coal. -yAlh electric • linesman, across the ‘ “Thames River, hearing the* 'explosion, thought that something had happened to the power .supply and shut oft the power at the Turua substation. Another mysterious explosion that has not yet been traced to any definite cause startled a resident of Kingsland at eight o’clock on Saturday evening. The noise and force of theconcussion were noticed over a wfile area. Many rumours spread through the district, but after a police investigation all were found to be groundless. The report appeared to come from the; Archhill Gully, at .the rear of. Second and Third Avenues, .anil was sharp, rather, 'like the discharge of a rifle, but far louder. It apparently occurred on the surface of i the ground as it was not dull and heavy,; and- although the concussion was fe.lt 'H-tithe■ .Mount Albert .fire station, 300yds: front >th e gully, no /\fibrai§Kpr waf.f s ??'t» ; ansblitted by the eftt®g£.. =