STONE FROM PARITUTU.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 September 1921, Page 4

STONE FROM PARITUTU.

ANOTHER BLAST FIRED. 20,000 TONS DISLODGED The second big blast in connection with the quarrying of Paritutu was fired at .3 o’clock yesterday afternoon. It is estimated that about 20,000 tons of rock were brought down by the explosion, and the members of the Harbor Board and the engineers who were present to witness the blast, expressed complete satisfaction as to the result and the quality of the stone dislodged. The explosive charge consisted of 40 cases of monobel and one case of gelignite, a total <yf 2050 lbs., and it was electrically fired. A tunnel was driven 30 feet into the face of the rock and the explosives were placed in another wing tunnel 30 feet long. The whole charge had to be carefully and skilfully laid and packed to prevent it from blowing out on the faces weakened by the former blast. A very large quantity of apparently first-class stone is now dislodged and ready for transportation to the breakwater, and it is expected to commence operations on this work shortly. The tram lines are practically completed, and when the cranes are put in position and the finishing touches put to the roads, the much-discussed Paritutu stone will begin its descent to the breakwater wall. Whether or not the financial situation will allow of the active prosecution of the work without delay remains to be seen, but the officials are confident that the quarry can be made a success if the financial difficulty can be got over. Mr. C. E Bellringer, in the presence of other members of the board, made the connection which brought the 20,000 tons of rock lumbering down to the accessible levels of the quarry. It was an anxious moment for the responsible persons when the charge was fired, but when the dust and smoke had cleared away expressions of satisfaction came from everyone.