What was the Cause?

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 91, 8 April 1914, Page 5

What was the Cause?

UPPER HUTT TRAGEDY. statements at the inquest. [Per Press Association.] Upper Hutt, April b. The inquest on the victims of the Upper Hutt tragedy on 29th March was resumed to-day before Air \V. G. Riddell, district coroner. Before tho proceedings re-commenc-ed Mr C. B. Morrison, K.C., who appeared for Benge and Pratt, piopiietors of the building destroyed, made a lengthy statement regarding tho position of his clients. Bongo and Pratt were in the position of defendants, and were liable to ho called upon to answer serious charges in regard to a statement as to tho quantity of gelignite on tho premises. He admitted that about the 6th of February something like 501bs of that explosive was purchased and stored in the shop, but evidence would show that every stick was sold before tho date of the fire. He desired that tho police should state their case fully before either Benge or Pratt was called. He asked this in common justice, and also mentioned his intention of calling Professor Esterfield and other experts relative to tho probable cause of tho explosion. Ho claimed that this evidence should come after the police evidence. Chief Detective Broberg said the police were relying on facts. If Mr Morrison called expert evidence, lie would require permission to rebut same.

The Coroner thought the application only fair, and decided that tho evidence of facts must como before expert evidence. Air Wilford, for the relatives of deceased, also intimateed his intention of* calling expert evidence if necessary. Evidence will bo called to rebut the theory that tho explosion was caused by acetylene gas. Continuing his evidence, Andrew Hunter stated that no water was played on tho fire prior to tho explosion, and gas could not, therefore, have been generated. The explosion caused a flash of blue light.