CO129-613-8 Reports on Kwang Tung incident 1-2-1948 - 2-6-1948 — Page 45

11.

EVIDENCE OF RICHARD CREESE TERRY GOVERNMENT ANALYST - SWORN.

کھا

My name is Richard Creese Terry and I am the Assis-

tant Government Chemist. I have visited the "Kwong Tung"

on Monday xxx morning the 2nd February, 1948.

I was

shown where the fire had broken out. I collected various

samples of goods lying around in the vicinity of the fire.

Subsequent to my visit and collection of samples, I receivea

other samples from the Western Police but I have no know-

when

ledge as to к they were collected. The samples I

collected comprised, (a) a material occurring in readish

lumps,

(b) a white powder,

(c) a white powder,

(d) a white powder,

(e), (f) & (g) charred sacking.

Sample (a) consisted of a vegetable tanning extract

of a similar nature to cutch.

Samples (b), (c) & (a) were identical and consisted

of potassium chlorate.

Sample (a) is in no way dangerous and burns with great

aifficulty.

Samples (b), (c), and (d) Potassium chlorate must be

regarded as a dangerous chmical. It is dangerous in itself

& also when in contact with other substances.

In my opinion the potassium chlorate was/

concerned

in the fire. Potassium chlorate has been known to explode

itself, and inflame organic matter in contact with it, on

percussion. In cases where potassium chlorate inflames

organic matter the matter would probably burst into flames

while the potassium chlorate decomposes forming a white smoke.

If