THE LANDSLIDE IN WESTLAND. SERIOUS DANGER AVERTED.

Evening Post, Volume LXXI, Issue 141, 15 June 1906, Page 5

THE LANDSLIDE IN WESTLAND. SERIOUS DANGER AVERTED.

[PBXSS ASSOCIATION.} WESTPORT, 14th June. Later information from Lyell, whero » huge landslide occurred, blocking the Buller river, shows that a considerable portion of the embankment, mostly the trees and the loose earth, gradually gave way, and the river assumed almost its normal level, without doing, so far as has been at present ascertained, any. damage. It is feared, however, that further j slips may occur. A late telegram from Lyoll states that the breakaway of the backed-up waters, which accumulated for upwards of two hours, was gradual. I So etfectually -was the gorge blocked J that during that period only a few heads of water trickled through, and the river everywhere within a mile of the stoppage could be easily waded. There is still a large quantity of water backed up, but the boulders are so large and the cliffs on either side so rockbound, that there is little danger of a sudden rush. The waters are still hemmed in a mass of debris thirty feet above the normal level. It is now raining steadily, and a slight freßh will remove the obstruction, But it- is not thought that any serious damage will occur. Had the waters broken away suddenly when the dam was at its height, tho entire val'ey would have been swept from here to Wesfcport. The slips have gradually subsided, and the main danger is past. A telegram from Lyell at 10.15 p.m. says the rain has ceased. Slips continue to fall, but nothing serious 'is' anticipated.