THE OHAKUNE EXPLOSION

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 66, 22 June 1916, Page 6

THE OHAKUNE EXPLOSION

EXPERT EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST.

Per Press Association. Ohakune, June 22. The inquest on the Ohakune explosion was resumed to-day before Coroner Aklridge and a jury of six. Mr McCassey represented the PublicWorks Department, and Mr Harris appeared for the relatives of deceased. Dr. Maclaurin. Government analyst. in the course of his evidence, said lie investigated the quarry and found the samples of explosives in perfect order. He was sure the accident was not due to defective explosives. Witness explained the way in which the wiring of explosives was carried out in a tunnel. Two of the ends of the wires run from the explosives along the roof of the tunnel and hung down near the mouth readv for testing or joining up with similar wiring' in Tunnels 1 to 3, preparatory to all being fired simultaneously In his opinion, the explosion was due 'to misadventure in testing the wires. The custom was to test the wires with a galvanometer. He thought the testing had been carried out, because a portion of a galvanometer was found near the tunnel. (The galvanometer was produced and the working explained). The portion found was similar to a Nobel's galvanometer (produced). The current generated was 0.05 amperes, and to fire the detonator .6 amperes was necessary. Two red seal dry batteries (produced) were found, and they may have been used. Witness said he could not think they would havte apy other use at a quarry. Some would jSWT l fs current: Red; seal : used providing the current,, passed .through a galvanometer, but grave danger arose, because it was easy tdunadvertw ently, pouch the wires together instead of touching the galvanometer poles. He wanted to emphasise this, as he was satisfied the explosives were not decomposed. There was no evidence of the cells, having been used, but he assumed so. , Robert Holmes, engineer on theluD*; Ho Works, said that in connection with the minefields used in military defence they were tested daily .by cells. coup : led'with a galvanometer: Witness agreed with the possibility of Dr. Maclaurin's theory. It would not be wrong to use cells for testing with a galvanometer of sufficient resistance. Nobel's possessed sufficient. He knew this was so, because. he and Dr. Maclaurin proved it by .experiment. p«sidering the nearness of the pole; on Nobel's, it was risky to use. The ; outr side appearance of the red sea was such as indicated they had,becn subjected to the force of compressed air," as would be caused by an explosion. . Michael Sheedy, recalled, gave evidence that he had seen cells similar to those produced on the staging .between the tunnels, Mellsop using them with; a galvanometer before a charge was put in tunnel 3. He did not see the cells on the day of the explosion. The inquest is still sitting.