AN INQUEST

Hokitika Guardian, 8 April 1933, Page 6

AN INQUEST

(Per Press Association Copyright.)

~ HASTINGS, April 6. ■Tlie.inquest into the death of"Wflliain David Keiiiiy; who died'on March 25, as tlie result, of the explosion of a fire-extinguisher, on the occasion of the outbreak of fire at the Post Office, where lie was employed, was resumed this morning. ..Luther Hill, postmaster at Hast-

ings, said there were no indications that the extinguisher was not in good working order. With others, it was cleaned and recharged in. November last. The extinguishers were .frequently inspected, according to instructions. , <

.Thomas Thompson, who was With deceased on the night of the fatality said that,. deceased tapped the extinguisher on the floor. There was only a trickle coming out, and the explpsion, occurred a moment later. Robert, Henderson, Fire Brigade?' Superintendent, .stated that lip Hound .one part/ of the extinguisher 35 feet away from where the explosion occurred. ■ Apparently, the extinguisher .was partly blocked, though it appeared to have been properly cared for. The extinguishers were supposed to need recharging only once in ten years, but in his opinion the nozzle 1 should be attended to at least once yearly. The cause of the explosion appeared to he a } blockage, of the. noz.de. The extinguisher in question was supposed to withstand a pressure of 3201bs per • square inch. Rust appearing •in the isbeliyif the mechanism may ' have been, caused by its having been empty. Albert Victor Harris, . senior mechanician, gave..evidence: that, the soda acid pipe extinguishers were refilled biennially. The- manufacturers’ refill was different from that used in re- j filling ,the exploded machine. There j were some, of the manufacturers’ own refills actually in the stove at the officio.

The . Coroner, remarked that he was not- concerned with further technical evidence conderning the explosion -and returned a formal verdict, finding the cause of death.