TWO EXPLOSIONS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 June 1942, Page 3

TWO EXPLOSIONS

DEMOLITION OF WRECKED CHURCH .RESIDENTS RUDELY DISTURBED. COMPLAINTS ABOUT LACK OF WARNING. Two explosions which disturbed residents of Masterton last night were the first intimation given that the demolition of St. Matthew’s Church was to be carried out at night. Needless to say, the explosions, particularly the second one, caused some alarm among womenfolk and many complaints were made against the demolition work being carried out at night and without due warning. The first charge of gelignite, of which 161 b was used, was fired at 6.5 p.m., but this failed to shift much of the structure except portions of the front and east end. A heavier charge was laid, over 501 b., and this was exploded at 8.15 p.m. The roar of this explosion could be heard all over the town and many dwellings and buildings were rocked by the force of the blast, which smashed every window on the near side of the Vicarage and windows in some Church Street houses. The whole of the eastern wall and the roof of the church collapsed with the second, charge, but the western wall and facade remained standing. Householders in the neighbourhood had been warned to open their windows and spectators to face in the direction of the explosion with their mouths opened. Pieces of brick were sent flying across the roadway. A third charge at 11.5 o’clock this morning completed the demolition of the facade, leaving the east wall. still to be attended to.