The Dunedin Explosion.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1716, 25 May 1886, Page 3

The Dunedin Explosion.

THE INQUEST. At the inquest on the fatal Wasting tccidentS*^llrß Vivian, m describing what she witnessed, said that Mrs Finch had just Rat dawn at table when witnesß heard a dreadful noise, and the room was then m perfcet darkness. She rushed out to the landing and called her daughter to ceme out quickly, but; she ' heard no sound. She went into the next room, hot there waa a large hole m the roof there also ; , and aha could not stay, there, ao she sat on the landing. When aha went back to the room she saw Mrs Finch lying m a pool of blood, blood was also trickling down her face. William Barnes, 'overseer of works, said he had not had much experience m blasting. - Atthe works he onlf continued a practice which prevailed before he went there. After the blaßt ho told Rogers he must have put m too much powder. He was too much frightened at the result of the blast to mov*, and he shortly 'after 'went home, without enquiring what damage had been done. Rogers, m evidence, said he had worked at blasting fpr about 40 years, but this was the first time he had done so m a town. He might have put a trifle more powder than the specified quantity m the hole, but nothing to apeak of. Thew was nothintfto measure the powder with. The inquest was adjourned till the MU\ instant. It W transpired since the accident that the works were under the* immediate control of the Mayor.