Hutt Explosion

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 272, 23 April 1914, Page 5

Hutt Explosion

EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST

EXPERTS AT VARIANCE.

By Telegraph—Press Association Wellington, April 22. The Upper Hutt fire inquiry was continued to-day. Dr. .MacLaurin, Dominion Analyst and Chief Inspector of Explosives, said he had examined the spots on £he clothing submitted to him. The spots contained a metallic substance, probably some kind of polish, eertainh; net carbide. The ettects of the explosion were more consistent with a gelignite explosion than an acetylene one. No large quantity of acetylene couW have been present, and he did not think acetylene could have the damage. The damage in this case was not consistent with an acetylene explosion. The cliief circumstances in favor of a gelignite e'xplosion were the shattering of the timber and the collapse of the floor.

The witness added that the amount of gas which would have been generated if there hair been a leak, between closing time and the time of the fire would have been insufficient to do much harm. Witness considered the efceeis of the explosion more consistent with the gelignite theory than acetylene. Ho had observed the effects of the explosion oa the hotel adjacent to Benge audi Pratt's store. These indicated the source of the explosion upstairs. Evidence was given by Philip Congreve, manager of the Wellington Branch of the New Zealand Acetylene (Ins Conv pany, as to the service at Benga »M Pratt's. _ After the shop lights were extinguished not more than eight cubic , feet of gas could have collected in the building. " Thomas H. Easterfield, Professor oi Chemistry at Victoria College, said he had' often experimented with acetylene, and was famiiiar with its explosive effects. He supported the theory that the explosion might have resulted from acetylene, and said that if a pipe were laid between the ceiling of the shop and the floor of the room above, the intervening space between the ceilmg joists would be filled with, the acetylene leakage, and would become a cartridge of explosive mixture, and if fire reached that mixture a terrific explosion would follow. Witness gave instances of previous explosions known to be caused by acetylene. H. V. Benge, re-called, said the acetylene generator taps leaked when supposed to be turned off. The inquiry was adjourned till Fri- • day.