FATAL BOILER EXPLOSION AT WANGANUI.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5662, 23 May 1879, Page 7

FATAL BOILER EXPLOSION AT WANGANUI.

Wanganui, May 5.

A boiler explosion occurred at Duncan and Gerk’s mill, Tanpo-quay, at 1.30 this afternoon. The shock was felt over half the town, and many thought at first it was an earthquake. One man was killed, one dangerously injured, and a number of others ’were more or leas hurt. Half of the boiler was thrown a distance of fifty yards up in the air towards the railway station. 8 p.m. An inquest will be held to-morrow on the body of John Rixon, the engine driver killed by the boiler explosion at Duncan and York’s timber yard this afternoon. Deceased leaves a wife and five little children. His life is insured in the Government office for £2OO. Curiously enough he had just paid the quarter’s premium iu his dinner hour a few minutes before the accident occurred.

A native from Kaoreniti, up the river, was badly injured, Mr, Murray, a settler, and Mr. Calders, chief telegraphist, who was engaged in some Government insurance business are injured, but not seriously, though each sustained a severe shock to his nervous system. All the workmen escaped.

Five minutes before the accident about ten of the men were congregated round the boilers taking their midday meal. Nothing is known as to the cause of the accident. The boiler was old and worn, and was to have been replaced by a new one, already made, and to have been fixed this week. The proprietors held a certificate for the old boiler as being good till October next, from the inspecting officer, Mr. McGregor, of Wellington. About £2OO will ouver the damage to the building, which, owing to the cause of the accident, the insurance office is not liable for.