HEAVY RAIN AND FLOODS

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 256, 28 July 1927, Page 10

HEAVY RAIN AND FLOODS

RAILWAY DISORGANISATION IN THE NORTH BIG SLIP ON MAIN TRUNK LINE PASSENGERS COMPELLED TO CHANGE TRAINS Dominion Special Service. Auckland, July 27. The rise of flood waters between Wayby and Hoteo has dislocated railway traffic on the north line, while a huge slip which occurred at an early hour this morning at a point about three-quarters of a mile north "of Paerata, 27 miles south of Auckland, held up all all train traffic to and from the south to-day, and •t was necessary to transport passengers end mails to trains waiting on the other side of the landslide. The passengers who left Whangarei at midday yesterday for Auckland were held up at Maungaturoto. This for the reason that there is a refreshment room there and a wait at that place was preferable to continuing to Hoteo, the most southerly point that could be reached. Both express trains from Wellington were held up on reaching the big slip khat has occurred near Paerata. The passengers on the first express reached the city about four hours late. The rslip does not affect the south suburban trains, but passengers outward bound by the Rotorua and Thames expresses this morning, which were linked together for the occasion, had to be transferred to another train. The ' railway officials were unable to state definitely how long it will take to get the line clear, the only information on the point being “that it is a prettv big job.”’ However, all train services will be run as closelv as possible to schedules for the time being, and every step will be taken so that there will he a minimum .of discomfort for passengers. Perhaps a more serious feature is the fact that until the south line is again clear the transport of stock and goods is not possible. In a cutting on the -Main Trunk line known as Karaka Bank a huge landslide came down at 3 o’clock this morning and buried the railway track, for a distance of a couple of chains. At daybreak between nine and ten thousand yards of sodden clay was piled up between the two banks. A great gap in the western bank showed where the landslide had occurred. Karaka Bank is a cutting a quarter of a mile long with banks about forty feet high. Midway along* there is a bend in the line, and it was just north of the bend that the slip came down early this morning, carrying with it a portion of the track and telegraph lines. Workmen were at Drury early this ■ morning ready to begin operations, but it was impossible to make a start while the transhipping of passengers and mails was in progress. The connection between the trains was made by walking along the top of the bank and crossing by. an overhead bridge. Passengers had the discomfort of a rather muddy ’ walk. Mails and luggage were carried between the trains by the railway staff. : As the trains were cleared on the Paerata side they were taken back to Pukekohe ; those on the Karaka side were controlled from Drury. There : was congestion at both ends and. the goods service was brought to a standstill. Passengers left the comfort" of the express trains to scramble oiSt into the mud and make their way up on the side of the steep bank, where they walked along, as far as the bridge—a link across the high part of the cutting—to the other side. A queue of porters carried mail bags, portmauteaux, kit bags, travelling trunks, and one with a brand-new bicycle on his shoulder strove valiantly to prevent the mud getting on .the paint. The passengers accepted the situation ■ philosophically, and all were in a good mood. Men courteously gave the women a helping hand, and assisted with the transport of infants. Fortunately the weather was fine, otherwise the comparatively short walk would have been a depressing experience. Many of the children took a delight in the novel experience, and appeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves. On the North Auckland line there were 130 passengers stranded at Maungaturoto last Meals were available at the station refreshment rooms, and to help to pass the time an impromptu dance was held in Maungaturoto Hall, a diversion which appeared to considerably cheer the marooned passengers during their long wait.

TEMPORARY LINE BEING CONSTRUCTED Dominion Special Service. Auckland, July 27. The Railway Department is laying a temporary Hue across the slip on the

Main" Trunk line near- Paerata. Itis expected that essential .services will, be able to use the line .to-niarrow. ■ : Meanwhile passengers- and ' luggage.are being conveved by a fleet- of- motor vehicles from Drury ■to Paerata .find vice versa. The Department chartered the motors as. soon as it was" seen that the slip was extensive and would delay traffic. ‘ ■ It is anticipated it will take a month to clear the slip, and the temporaryline will be used until then, HEAVY RAIN AT DUNEDIN SLIP ON OTAGO CENTRAL RAILWAY .LINE, Telegraph.—Press association. Dunedin, July 27. Steady rain continued to fall on Dunedin and outlying, districts to-day, and all roads are in an unusually condition. "" A slip on the Otago Central. railway line, near Hendon, together with the swollen creek waters on the roadways, have prevented travellers from reaching Dunedin either by , rail or motor-car. It is, however, anticipated that conditions will improve to-morrow. , A train will leave Dunedin during the morning in an attempt to reach Cromwell, and a down train from Cromwell is expected to reach here in the even'"Three minor slips occurred on Dunedin hill streets, but these, caused no concern, and are speedily being repaired. The Outram railway line was flooded this morning, but it is hoped that the ordinary time-table can be resumed tomorrow.