“ACCIDENTAL DEATH.”

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 6, 28 April 1914, Page 6

“ACCIDENTAL DEATH.”

UPPER HUTT thAOEDY. IPIE PKMB ABBOOIATION.I Wellington, April 28. In giving his verdict in the Hutt fire inquest, the coroner stated that two theories had been' advanced as to the cause of the explosion., One of these was that it was due to the escape of acetylene gas, and the other that it was due to. gelignite. The acetylene gas theory wris supported by Professor Easterfield and opposed by/ Dr. MacLaririn rind two other witnesses. “Putting positive elements against negative elements in regards to the acetylene hypothesis one could,” Said the Coroner “only come to the conclusion that the explosion was not due to acetylene gas.” On the evidence, his verdict was that the men who were killed died from injuries accidentally received in an explosion of gelignite at Benge and Pratt’s store, but the evidence was insufficient to show how the lire originated. The Coroner said the evidence went to show that Benge arid Pratt were not aware that gelignite in any such quantities was stored in the place.