THE OHAKUNE EXPLOSION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 59, 14 June 1916, Page 6

THE OHAKUNE EXPLOSION.

EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST.

Per Press Association. Ohakune, June 11

The adjourned inquest on the Ohakune explosion was .held in the Courthouse to-day. Michael Sheedy, quarry manager, deposed he was employed in No. 2 tunnel. He lit a candle, and was met by a Hash of fire and was badly burnt. He went to the engine shed and was removed to the railway station, where a doctor attended him, and he was sent to the Taihape Hospital. Witness was in No. 3 tunnel at 9 o'clock in the morning, when everything appeared satisfactory. He could give no reason for the explosion. He had drawn Melsop's attention to the naked lights being used, and had received a reply to the effect that he had ordered lamps but none came. Candles were still used. He was afraid a light might be dropped negligently and set fire to the charge. This was before the earth and concrete was put in. No smell of gas was noticeable, if a light fell on a cartridge it would simply burn. He saw no carelessness in handling the explosives. Some of the men said they disliked explosives being stored in the engine shed. This was done to thaw them before putting them in the tunnel. He was positive cambrite was used. George Morgan deposed to working at the staging opposite Tunnel 2. He had wheeled concrete into both tunnels during the morning and saw no sign of carelessness. He was outside between the two tunnels when the explosion occurred and he was knocked dawn by the loose stone. He crawled into Xo. 3 tunnel. Sheedy came up to the staging, and both entered Tunnel 3 and met a rush of fire, both being badly burnt. He went to the engine shed and was removed to his home. He had heard Sheedy object to smoking in the tunnel. Torrens was in the tunnel at the time of the explosion. The inquest was adjourned till 22nd inst.

Xo trace of Torrens' body lias been found. '?','""'