MANAWATU GORGE

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 27, 27 October 1926, Page 4

MANAWATU GORGE

ANOTHER BIG FALL OF EARTH LINE MAY BE CLOSED ALL WEEK Dominion Special. Palmerston North, October 26. A further huge fall of earth on the railway line in the Manawatu Gorge has completely nullified the work of the men engaged in clearing the first large landslide, and in- consequence railway traffic through the gorge may be rendered impossible for the remainder of the week. The men were at work on the debris until 8 o’clock last night, and at some time during the night the face of the slip broke away near the top, and sliding downwards, filled in all the clearing that had been effected by two days’ of labour. As a result, the men resumed work at 4 o’clock this morning with the’ whole task again before them. Indeed, it would appear that conditions are even worse than before, as in addition to the huge masses of spoil there is a great amount of earth which threatens to fall at any time. Debris continued to fall at intervals to-day as wdrk progressed, making it uncertain whether passengers should be transhipped owing to the dangerous nature of that proceeding. Trains for Wellington from Hawke’s Bay were to-day dispatched via the Wairarapa, while a motor service plying back and forth between Palmerston North and Woodville is being largely patronised by passengers. TO NAPIER VIA WAIRARAPA. It is expected by the Railway Department that it will be two days yet before the slip in the Manawatu Gorge can be removed. Meanwhile the ex--presses are travelling via the Wairarapa. The Napier express will leave Lambton station at ,9.35 a.m. to-day. Owing to the presence of big cracks in the spoil, and very heavy boulders, some of which weigh up to five tons, it is quite impossible for men to work on the slip at night, so that they were not 'engaged this evening oh the task of clearing the debris. It is not likely that passengers will be transhipped, owing to the risk involved Mails for Palmerston North from Hawke’s Bay are being brought through the Gorge by means of motor transport, and for Wellington via Wairarapa. In regard to the Gorge Road itself, this is now open for light traffic up to three tons, white the present weather lasts. Good progress is being made with the genaral work of the clearance of the slips, and it is expected that normal conditions will be reached in a day or so.