RAILWAYS SUFFER

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 110, 5 November 1926, Page 8

RAILWAYS SUFFER

SEVERAL SERVICES DISORGANISED.

It is years since so many interruptions have been caused to railway services in the South Island by floods. The heavy rains huve caused trouble everywhere, and the Waimakiriri is again rising and threatening the northern line. The river this morning is

over the railway and road between Chaney's Corner and Belfast. Telegrams received by the Railway Department to-day show that Westland has suffered heavily. On the Picton section three spans of the bridge between Tuamarina and Stony Creek were washed away this morning. Gangs of men have been sent down, but the extent of- the interruption is not yet known. The pier of the Buller combined railway and traffic bridge has sunk 9in, and all trains are cancelled on the Westport section, as for two miles all lines .are tinder water. The hold-up is due chiefly to the latter fact. The water is receding. The line between Westport and Sergeant's Hill is completely covered by water. . There is also a bad slip three miles north of Ngakawau. All trains are suspended in the meantime. Westport is largely under water. FOUR CHAINS OF LINE SCOURED OUT. .At Lowry's Creek two spans of the bridge on the Reefton-Mangahua, section are down, and four chains of the approach are scoured out Oft deep. It is estimated that three weeks will elapse before the line will be restored between Morris's siding and Mangahua. The rivers are still rising. Slips between Coralynn and Arthur's Pass caused four hours' delay in transhipment to mail trains. Ten chains of the line are washed out between Waimanga and Mawherati on the Reefton line. The Rakaia River is in high flood, but there appears no immediate danger to the railway bridge. The pier on the Blackball bridge is washed out. Through communication is expected to be restored in the Manawatu Gorge, where large gangs are working, tomorrow.