Heavy Rain Affects West Coast Communications

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29002, 17 September 1959, Page 8

Heavy Rain Affects West Coast Communications

(From Our Own Reporter)

GREYMOUTH, September 16. After rain which had fallen intermittently since Sunday, a heavy downpour on Tuesday night upset communications on the West Coast. It caused the cancellation of a mixed train from Otira to Greymouth, and also the closing today of the Hokitika airport, the Blackball rail and traffic bridge, and the Otira Gorge route to Canterbury. Toll lines between Westport and Reefton, and Westport and Greymouth. were put out of action. The circuits to Christchurch were affected by'weather conditions in the Cass area. A failure near Murchison caused the toll circuit to Nelson to cease, and a pole was washed out near Atarau. The toll circuits to Christchurch were restored later in the day, land three circuits from Greymouth to Westport were re-routed along the coast road. The Grey Power Board’s installations were not affected, apart from one pole near Poerua, in the Inchbonnie district The combined road and rail bridge at Blackball was closed to rail and heavy vehicular traffic about 11.30 a.m. today, only light traffic being permitted to cross. It was reported that the piles of the bridge had been loosened and it was being kept under constant surveillance by railway officials.

The air service from Wellington to Hokitika was cancelled with the closing of the airport Passengers from Greymouth were taken by taxi to Westport, where the airport remained open. Boulder Grazes Bus Passengers in a New Zealand Railways Road Services bus travelling from Greymouth to Taylorville had a narrow escape from injury about 10.35 p.m. on Tuesday. When the bus was approaching the top of Omoto Hill the driver had to brake suddenly when a large boulder tumbled down in its path from the hillside. Apparently loosened by the rain, the boulder just grazed the front of the bus without doing any damage. Loading of the Union Steam Ship Company's collier Kaitangata at Greymouth has been affected by the rain, but if the bar remains negotiable she is expected to sail for Auckland tomorrow. The Otira Gorge route to Christchurch was closed at 10 a m. today because of a washout at Rocky creek, but was open again at 3 p.m. Motorists were advised that the road was very rough. The Lewis Pass route was not affected. The Rocky creek washout, which occurred between Aickens and Jackson, resulted in the cancellation of the scheduled mixed train from Otira to Greymouth. No other delays were reported by the Railways Department. Workers Wade Through Water Occupants of Barclay place. Cobden, were confined to their homes by water. Those who had to go to work waded through the water without shoes and stockings [until they reached higher ground jin Richmond street.

A car parked in Barclay place

had water some six inches deep in its interior. The water seeped into the engine through the oil dip stick opening. The car is a brand new model, having been purchased only last week. The fall of rain for the 36 hour period ended at 9 p.m. yesterday was over 2 inches. This brought the year’s total to more than 51 inches, compared with 92.85 inohes for the same period last year.