SAVED FROM DISASTER

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 70, 24 March 1933, Page 8

SAVED FROM DISASTER

TRIBUTE TO TRAIN DRIVER

DAMAGE AT NIHONIHO

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

TATJMARUNUI, March 23,

' Dr. George E. P. Philpots, of Melbourne, a passenger on the train which was held up by the Kakahi subsidence at 4.30 this morning, expressed the opinion that the remarkable care of the driver of the train had saved the passengers from disaster. Careful driving .saved the engine and two postal vans from falling over the filling in which the subsidence occurred. Had the engine gone over the carriages would have followed into the river below. He also paid a tribute to the railway authorities for the consideration shown to passengers in transporting them in lorries from. Kakahi to Piriaka, where they joined a train for Taumar'unui.

Reports reveal serious flooding and damage at Nihoniho, tho water being within sis inches of tho top of the windows in several houses. The showgrounds at Nihoniho are covered to a depth of eight feet. The river there is swollen to a mile in width-, and Chaytor's bridge has been washed away. At Otangiwai slips occurred on both sides of the road leading up Pleasant's Hill, and it is impossible for even a horse to get past.

The road from Okahukura to Matiere is impassable, and there is a very big slip at Mahirakau; and the bridge on the road to Ongarue, near the school, has been washed away^

At Matiere water entered some houses to a depth of she feet.

The bridge over the main Oturi tUver at Hannan's was washed a.way.

A farmer, Mr. E. 'Maiming, lost 200 sheep. .- N

In Kaiticke county there is a sevions slip near Kaitieke, blocking the road, and the Upper Bctaruke bridge was washed away.