SLIP IN GORGE

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 29, 29 October 1926, Page 6

SLIP IN GORGE

DELAYS LORRY WITH MAILS Dominion Special. Palmerston North, October 28. Operations were resumed this morning in the direction of clearing the debris on the railway line in the Mauawatu Gorge caused bj- the latest large slip. To reopen the line by the end of the week is an end to which the men are working expeditiously, in view of the traffic that will be occasioned by the Manawatu A. and P. Show next week. At about 7.30 a.tn. to-day a small slip came down on the Gorge Road, incidentally blocking the progress of the motor-lorry run by the Postal Department, and carrying the mails from this district destined for the Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa. In consequence, the lorry was forced to turn back, but upon advice being received two hours later that the road was again clear, another attempt was made, and this time the mails were carried through safely to their destination. The special train service between Palmerston North and Ashhurst commenced to-day. Another Heavy Landslide. The treacherous nature of the hillside was again illustrated this afternoon, when for the second time since Sunday the top of the slip came down and completely nullified four days’ work. The men had succeeded in clearing away a considerable portion of the

debris and uncovering part of the railway line. At about 4.30 p.m. warning of impending danger was given by boulders and earth which commenced to roll down the hillside with such frequency and volume that it was considered too dangerous for the men to continue Consequently the gang was taken off and it was not long after they were safely out of the dager zone that a great mass of earth broke away and came sweeping down across the line with a rumbling noise. The line was covered for a distance of about two or three chains in the same place as previously. Immediate operations on the latest slip were not considered advisable, owing to the fact that debris still continued to fall in occasional showers. The driver of The Dominion newspaper car' who came to Palmerston North through the gorge at 6 o’clock, in describing the conditions existing on the line following • this latest landslide, stated that from the road a great mass of earth could be seen in an unbroken stretch over the line. There were large boulders visible, giving promise of considerable difficulty.

The stationmaster (Mr. J. J. O’Shea) stated that it was not possible to say accurately how long it would be before the line could be cleared, and although work would be expedited as far as possible, it was quite likelv that the line would be blocked until some time next week. If this is the case, serious disruption will be occasioned the Manawatti A. and P. Show, which will commence on Tuesday. At the time of telegraphing it is raining steadily, so that further slips on both the railway line and 11,e road are not unexpected.