UPPER HUTT TRAGEDY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 658, 8 April 1914, Page 5

UPPER HUTT TRAGEDY.

EVIDENCE AT ENQUIRY.

CAUSE OF EXPLOSION.

IbY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.! Upper Hutt, This Day. The inquest on the victims of the Upper Hutt tragedy of March 29th, was resumed to-day before Mr W. G. Riddell, district coroner.

Before prbceednigs recommenced, Mr C. B. Morrison, K.C., who appeared for Benge and Pratt, proprietors of the building destroyed, made a lengthy statement regarding the position of his clients. Messrs Benge and Pratt were in the position of defendants, and were liable to be called upon to answer serious charges. In regard to the statement that a quantity of gelignite was on the premises, it was admitted that on or about February 6th something like SOlbs of that explosive was purchased and stored in the shop. The evidence would show that every stick was sold before the date of the fire. He desired that the police should state the case fully before either Mr Bange or Mr Pratt were called. He asked this in common justice, and also mentioned his intention of calling Professor Easterfield and other experts relative to the probable cause of the explosion. He claimed this evidence should come after the police evidence. Chief-Detective Broberg said the police were relying on facts. If Mr Morrison called expert evidence he would require to rebut the same. The coroner thought the application only fair, and decided that evidence as to facts must come before expsrt evidence.

Mr Wilford, for relatives of the deceased, also intimated his intention of calling experts. If necessary evidence will be called to rebut the theory that the explosion was caused by acetylene { gai.

Continuing his evidence, Andrew Hunter stated no water was played on the fire prior to the explosion. Gas could not therefore have been generated. The explosion caused a Sash of blue light. (Proceeding).