"BOILING THE BILLY!"

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 17, 23 December 1915, Page 3

"BOILING THE BILLY!"

WARNING TO CHRISTMAS CAMPERS. A TRUE STORY. (Contributed.) On the afternoon of December 21 at a place known as Makahu, a terrific explosion occurred, but by an act of Providence it was without fatal reSuits, although the muffled sound of the report could be distinctly heard within a radius of 400 yards I It appears that a workman employed by the Whangamomona County Council was engaged in the act of what is known as "boiling the billy." Having no billy, but plenty of resources to fall buck on, he utilised a five-pound treacle tin for the purpose. The fire w.as kindled in what apparently was an old camp, which is a very dangerous practice, as will be shown. The billy was hung over the flames, and just as it commenced to boil, steam and water began to make an appearance through the tightly-fitting lid, the water in a thin stream reaching a considerable height. The navvy became infatuated, and not having an engineer's ticket ? imprudently decided to study the phenomenon, with the result that the "billy bursted." After a careful search no sign of the lid could be found J and out of ten inches of water (the contents of the billy) only one was left, the rest having been thrown in a merciful way over the navvy's body without serious result! It is highly improbable that an inquiry will be held.