SLIP ON LINE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 193, 17 August 1939, Page 12

SLIP ON LINE.

EXPRESSES DELAYED.

HELD UP NEAR UTIKU. LIMIT ED'S LATE ARRIVAL. The south-bound Limited express which left Auckland at 7.15 o'clock last night has been indefinitely delayed at Taihape owkig to heavy slips, caused by bad weather, on the line between Utiku and-Mangaweka. The first southbound express experienced no difficulty in getting through. The down Limited was due to leave the vicinity at 4.0 o'clock this morning, but was indefinitely delayed owing to the size of the obstructions. Passengers were transferred to buses and were taken to Martou. Gangs were soon on the scene of the slip doing their utmost to clear the debris.

The north-bound express was also held up owing to tlie Utiku slip and was considerably delayed. However, the passengers experienced no discomforts nnd the express arrived in Auckland at 12.20 p.m. The train iisuaVy arrives at Auckland at 9.30, and was running 2 hours 40 minutes behind schedule.

The early north-boirtd express was not affected bv the trouble and arrived at Auckland on schedire.

Everything possible was done for the delayed passengers by the rai'way staff, and the locomotive department kept the steam heaters working This afternoon it was stated that the down Limited express was still held up and her departure was indefinite.

Not only was. rai'.way tradio dislocated by the slip, but the road south in the vicinity was b'ocked eariv to-dav. T.iiter it was reported jmssable fer truffle. The worst ho d-up occurred on the Man<mwekn Hill road.

During the last nine days there have been particularly heavy Yaiiu in the district, the fall ■ totalling 3.04 Inches. During the last 24 hours* .78 inches was recorded.