John Barrett, 1843-25/6/1883. "blown to atoms"

A sad mining accident occurred at Kumara yesterday. John Barrett, a miner, was engaged in softening some cartridges of dynamite, and had them disposed round the fire in a smithy. That was the last seen of him or the dynamite. An explosion took place, and Barrett and the smithy were blown to atoms, a ghastly relic being picked up here and there some distance away. There is evidently something yet to be learned as to the handling and ignition of dynamite. At one time it will take fire and quietly burn to ashes; on another it will explode with disastrous results in the most mysterious manner. The usual method of softening dynamite is to dip it in boiling water; but it has been known that a quantity left in a billy has burned to ashes after the water boiled away without doing any damage. The sad fate of a dynamite agent in New South Wales after leaving the Coast will also be recollected. He professed to be familiar with all the properties of dynamite, and was quite eloquent as to the safety with which it could be handled. He too was softening some cartridges before a a fire in his room in an hotel. A mysterious explosion occurred, the side of the house disappeared and the agent with it.  -Grey River Argus, 26/6/1883.

DYNAMITE EXPLOSION — MAN KILLED.

[BY TELEGRAPH — PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

KUMARA, this day. John Barrett, a minor, was killed yesterday while softening dynamite at the forge in a claim at Dillman's town. Both legs were blown off above the knees, both arms shattered, his right eye forced out, and his breast riddled. He never spoke, but died in a few minutes. A year ago deceased had a narrow escape from the same cause, the forge being blown to atoms, An inquest will be held this afternoon.  -Auckland Star, 26/6/1883.

At the inquest yesterday afternoon on the body of John Barrett, killed by an explosion of dynamite, the jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death." They added a rider, stating that it was desirable that all vendors of dynamite should also sell suitable vessels for drying, warming or softening the same. The deceased was buried this morning, and was followed by a large procession of mourners.  -Press, 28/6/1883.

WARMING PANS FOR DYNAMITE. 

WE observe that the Jury on an inquest hold yesterday on John Barrett, who was killed at Kumara by an explosion of Dynamite, added a rider to their verdict of accidental death to the effect that it was desirable for vendors of Dynamite to sell suitable vessels for warming or softening the same. Being the local agents of Nobel's Explosives Company, we beg to inform buyers that we have in stock properly constructed Warming Pans, and Miners and others are particularly requested to use them during the winter months. 

W. M. BANNATYNE & CO. Wellington, 28th June, 1883.  -Evening Post, 28/6/1883.

Kumara Cemetery.