CRIPPLED RAILWAYS

Evening Star, Issue 19409, 18 November 1926, Page 14

CRIPPLED RAILWAYS

WEST COAST FLOOD DAMAGE [Special to the ' Star.*] CHRISTCHURCH, November 17. “ Although we are getting the trains over the tracks it will bo several months before the permanent way in the district is in the same condition that it was in before the recent floods. The damage on the West Coast is very extensive, and apart from damage to bridges, big portions of the permanent way, extending in places over miles of line, have been affected by washouts.” This statement was made by Mr J. M'Nair, district railway engineer, who returned to Christchurch from the West Coast. Never before had Mr' M'Nair . seen such a big quantity of uprooted timber as lies about the damaged railway bridge over Larry’s Creek. Normally this creek is a small stream, mrb at the time of the floods a big landslide ocurred ten miles up the creek from the bridge. At least fifty acres of land collapsed into the bed of the stream, and the result was the formation of a great lagoon. Suddenly this big quantity of water burst the dam, and swept all before it. Two 60ft spans on the bridge collapsed, and were washed away, and a big portion of the permanent way suffered severely. Repairs to damaged Blackball Bridge will necessitate the driving of thirtytwo temporary piles, and until this morning thirteen had been driven. In this bridge two 80ft spans collapsed. It is expected that traffic will be opened by the end of the month. The Grev River, which is spanned by the B’sckball bridge, is very high to day, and so it is not possible to run the motor launch service, which was use) as the connecting link with the trains; but arrangements have been made to carry mails, perishable goods, and passtngeis who are willing to give an indemnity to the Railway Department _ over the river in a cage strung by vires. At Omoto, east of Grcyraonth, whue a slip occurred, over s,oooyds of spoil had now been deposited in rep*.'ring the track. Big difficulties have been encountered because of the sponge-like action of the terrain, and only now is some solidity being gained. Serious damage has been done to the permanent way at Westport, about a mile being affected. One of the piers of Buffer Bridge has settled down about a foot, and pile-driving will be done soon.