OTIRA LINE.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18625, 25 February 1926, Page 8

OTIRA LINE.

TRAINS RESUME RUNNING, HEAVY RAIN AT GREYMOUTH. (SPECIAL 10 "TH» WWa") GKEYMOUTH, February 24. Railway traffic between Greymouth and Otira was back to normal this morning when the flood waters commenced to recede. The damage was found to be not so extensive as was at first estimated. The lino was under water for about a nule between twenty-eight and twentynino miles from Greymouth. When the waters started to recede a repair gang was dispatched to tho scene,' and worked until late last evening, resuming at daylight this morning. The lino was scoured in twelve places in the affected area, but fortunatbly tho washouts were of a minor nature, and were located in a fairly safe zone, where the line traverses some low-lying fiat country. Tho deepest of the. scours was about six feet under the rails. Another part of tho section, about a mile on the Otira side of Jacksons, was affected by flood damage, no fewer than threo washouts occurring within a small area. Luckily, tho heavy rain experienced yesterday morning moderated at. noon, otherwise tho damage would have beon innch more soriouin.

Tho repair gang last evening had a most unenviable experience, working waist-deep in water, and their achievement in having the line ready for traffic this morning was most praiseworthy. Passengers' Anxiety. Some consternation was felt by passengers to the Coast at Otira yesterday when they discovered they were unable to reach their destinations. Many of= those travelling were returning from holiday trips, and in several instances their pocket-money was exhausted. Through some misunderstanding at Otira it was announced that in order to return to Christphuvch fare 3 would have to be paid. .. Accommodation at Otira was taxed to its utmost, ant} there was a general rush on the part of. numerous passengers to interview friends, with a view to borrowing the wherewithal to last them until they arrived safely home. The fares of tho weary travellers wore refunded on their arrival in Christchurch. About forty of the passengers who stayed at Otira last night came on to Greymouth this morning. Further Damage. Further flood damage is reported from the Kokataki district, where one settler was flooded out. The Christchurch road between Otira and Kumara is also, impassable owing to slips, and the bridge riear Wainihinihi being damaged. The Arahura river was reported as being in. higher flood yesterday than had previously been seen there. One span of Malfroy's Mill bridge was washed away owing to the piles scouring. Water flowed over the Seven Mile road, and for a considerable distance up the valley. , The Grey river was nearly back to normal this evening, and shipping movements have been resumed.

Still Baiaing at Groymoutih. Hoavy rain set in again this evening at Greymouth, and tho weather outlook ie most unfavourable. For the twentyfour hours previous to 9 a.m. to-day. 67 points of rain fell at Greymouth. BACK TO NORMAL. The Traffic Office at Christehurcji re* ported last night that all repairs weift. satisfactory, but trains would have to run over the damaged portion between Te Einga and Hotomanu at si* miles an hour for about a week. Heavy rain fell again yesterday afternoon," but the weather cleared at night. The service'is practically back to normal.