Old gun to be fired on saturday

Wanganui's historic Krupp gun will be fired in Wanganui this Saturday.
The newly restored Victorian-era field artillery piece, which dates from the 1890s, will be fired during a civic parade to formally mark the its restoration.
The gun was last fired in 1900.
It has had a checkered past. It was manufactured in Germany and was captured by the British in South Africa during the Boer War. After the war it was given to New Zealand and ended up in Wanganui. It has suffered decades of neglect, including being buried during World War 2.
Wanganui Mayor Michael Laws said the gun was "rescued" about five years ago by a team of expert restorers, led by Geoff Lawson and Martin Emerson.
"With financial assistance from the Wanganui District Council and the Lotteries Commission, they have restored the gun to its actual and operational state."
Mr Laws said the Krupp gun would take up permanent residence in the War Memorial Hall and be available for use at Anzac Day and Remembrance Day ceremonies.
He said the gun had been test-fired "and the noise and impact is something to behold".
The parade will begin at 11am on Saturday, May 8, from the Wanganui District Council in Guyton St, then head down Victoria Ave to Majestic Square and the War Memorial Hall. After a formal hand-over, the gun will be fired.