Team detonates dynamites

A Defence Force bomb squad team safely disposed of explosives near Roxburgh yesterday and says there was no indication of malicious intentions.

Two New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) bomb disposal team members were deployed from Christchurch to Lake Roxburgh yesterday after six sticks of dynamite were discovered ``washed up'' near the shore of McKenzies Beach on Wednesday night.

A member of the public made the discovery about 7.30pm, a police spokeswoman confirmed.

The NZDF bomb disposal team safely detonated the explosives about 2.45pm yesterday after arriving at the scene about 20 minutes earlier.

Scene guards had sealed the site off overnight Wednesday and remained at the Knobby Ranges' McKenzies Beach Rd turnoff yesterday until the bomb disposal unit team had arrived.

The bomb disposal team leader, who preferred not to be named, said the ``high explosive had been in the water for a long period of time''.

``There appears to be no malicious intent.''

Sergeant Adam Elder, of Alexandra, said that while there did not appear to be ``any sinister intentions'', keeping the area safe was the main priority.

``Police responded immediately and notified the bomb squad as part of the procedures to ensure the safety of the community,'' Sgt Elder said.