HARBOR WORKS.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 June 1920, Page 4

HARBOR WORKS.

EXPLOSION AT MOTUROA. GOOD RESULTS OBTAINED. The explosion at the Island of Mottt« roa yesterday afternoon, which was the largest yet prepared in connection with the Harbor Board's works, was in every way successful so far as the purpose it was intended to accomplish was concerned. The tunnel in which the explosives were placed had been drilled on the eastern side of the island (that is on the side facing the breakwater) somewhat lower than that for the last "blow-up/ 1 and had pierced into the rock about 40ft., terminating in two 10ft. chambers, one containing (50 cades and the other 45 cases of explosives. A ten-inch cement wall backed the explosive chambers, and the tunnel wag packed to the" mouth with loose rock. The total amount of explosive used was two and a quarter tons, and this displaced a large quantity of solid rock and earth .from above the tunnel, which somewhat altered the appearance of the island. Two submarine detonators were placed in each chamber, and these were connected to the battery in a small tunnel behind the workmen's cottage, 450 f- from the charge chamber. The object of yesterday's explosion was the forming of a base for a quarry to enable machinery to be placed on the Island in order to facilitate the handling of stone for the breakwater extension. The work was carried out by Mr. J. Lomas (the Harbor Board's quarry foreman) and proved quite successful. The Nobel Explosive Company's expert, who was present, complimented Mr. Lomas on the manner in which the undertaking was carried through.