THE QUEBEC EXPLOSION. Two Big Holes and Much Excitement.— Rumours.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 77, 22 November 1884, Page 6

THE QUEBEC EXPLOSION. Two Big Holes and Much Excitement.— Rumours.

Qukbec, October 11. — About one o'clock this morning an explosion occurred at the new Parliament buildings, destroying a considerable portion of the machinery and windows of the building, which was just being roofed in. The explosion at first was supposed to be tho boiler, at the engine

used for hoisting material, but this proved not the case. Neither can it be attributed to gas. The general impression appears to be that the explosion was caused by dynamite, but as none of this compound was used on the works, the mystery is how it came there. An investigation is now being held. The workmen all being away at dinner, nobody but one man was injured, and he escaped with a slight cut from a piece of stone. The shock was very severe all over the city, and the windows of the houses in the vicinity of the explosion were badly shattered. Quebec, October 12.— The troops placed around the Parliament building last night were withdrawn this morning, and a strong guard of police established. No person was allowed to approach the building or pass in close proximity to it during the night, and to-day a most vigorous watch is kept. The excitement is unabated. Upwards of 40,000 persons visited the scene to-day. All sorts of rumours are in circulation, one theory being that four strangers, who had lately been employed there as workmen, had been acting in a most suspicious manner, and that one of them always remained behind in turn, while the other three went to dinner. A prominent Civil Service employe" says he overheard a part of a conversation carried on in the building between three or four men, who stated they would soon have their grievances set to right. There is no end to the rumours. The Chief of Police, Colonel Vohl, tonight says he discovered nothing yesterday, but thought they had a positive clue to the perpetrators. An inspection to-day of the damage shows that the hole made by the first explosion is much larger than was reported yesterday. The damage done by the second explosion is less conspicuous, but the cost of setting it to rights will involve much more money. It is now thought the entire wall will have to be taken down on the north-eastern portion of the house, involving a cost of 25,000rJ015. It is thought the contractor, Charlebois, will add another reward of l,OOOdols. to that already offered by the Government for information or the arrest of the parties implicated. The building now will not be completed in time to permit the Parliament to hold sessions there this year.