THE HUTT EXPLOSION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 87, 3 April 1914, Page 6

THE HUTT EXPLOSION.

TO-DAY'S INQUEST. [Fib Pres* Association. | Upper Hutt, April ti In the witness box, Philip Barf stated that the building occupied by Benge and Pratt was one of the oldest in the district. He did not know to what purpose Benge and Vv.i't put the upstairs rooms. He could vol say whether they sold explosives or. not. Daniel Dennehy deposed ..that he arrived on the scene >it five minutes to 4 a.m. on Sunday when he was informed that Constable Mahonev'* body had not been dl-s.woied. He immediately instituted a and the remains of the body were found under sheets of iron about six feet from the inner edge of the f'uoipath. The remain? were idenVfied as the Constable by a pair of handcuffs found amongst the dobi's at - his >.pnt.. Constable Melville gave corroborative evidence.

Formal evidence of identification of the victims was given by several witnesses.

James Gerald Com&st-y son of the late James Comesky, said '<e was neat 'iy, but heard no expl■«on. Ho sivthe results of 'ho same. £d wand's office next door was demolished. Witr;«»fc«i saw his frV-er undei tfe timber, :>ut could not extr-:\tS hi* *n'h.>» »»ij til water had been played on the fire Deceased was endeavouring to save Go'cnment propvty wr»-n the expi.> son occurred. #*%'<w did not krow ■. f any water be ng p'-ivec. on the lire prior to the expbicn.