BLOCKAGE OF RAILWAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19485, 15 November 1926, Page 12

BLOCKAGE OF RAILWAY.

THE MANAWATU GORGE. SERIOUS POSITION ARISES. FISSURE IN THE HILLSIDE. HUGE RETAINING WALL CRACKED [by telegraph.—own correspondent. ] PALMERSTON NORTH, Saturday. There are indications of further serious developments iu connection with the blockage of tho railway line in the Manawatu Gorge, and pending a report of experts to the department it is difficult to say just what measures will be taken to render this important route again safe for traffic. Quite early iu the work of clearing the landslide it was discovered that there was an ominous crack running in a half circle some distance above the highest part of the slip, but now something more serious than this is claiming the earnest consideration of the engineers. It is a fissure which has recently appeared in the hillside between the first and second tunnels, close to the scene of the slip which has blocked the line for just upon three weeks. This crack indicates a subsidence the magnitude of which can only be guessed. It extends down the hill face across the line and below it. It is obvious that a large portion of the hillside has slipped toward the river, perhaps only a few inches, but where it is going to stop is problematical. The huge concrete retaining wall below the line at the point of this new development has cracked under the pressure of this land "bulge," and would appear to be menaced. Trouble has been experienced iu the past with great slips, the result being that an extra tunnel (No. 2) was built to obviate further danger to the exposed line. There are rumours current that the lino will not even be open by Christmas. The engineers are reticent, but one stated that it would be at least three weeks before the line would be safe for traffic. He added that in the interim experts were considering a scheme to . overcome the difficulties caused in the last few days by this new development. Mr. Burtenshaw, chief inspecting engineer of the department, was again on the scene of the slip to-day. Mr. Beesley, district engineer at Wanganui, was also 011 the spot to-day.