FLOODS AT PASS

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 April 1924, Page 2

FLOODS AT PASS

CARS AGAIN HELD UP.

Another crowd of would-be passengers to Christchurch was disappointed this morning. About 50 or GO assembled outside the garage' of the Greymouth Motors Ltd., which is the starting point of the service cars before 9 o’clock. Most of them had booked passages and after a long isolation were eagerly looking forward to an opportunity to return. A fair proportion consisted of . Linwood Salvation Army bandsmen who have been on the West Coast since Good Friday. Though the weather was cold and a keen sou’westerly blew the clouds were. clearing ■ off hopefully and a break in the long spell of bad weather was expected rby everybody. It was a blow to the general optimism therefore when the announcement was made that a slip had occurred near the Gorge. The information was received in a telegram forwarded from the Otira Post Office to the Chief Postmaster (Mr. C. A. Mathieson) and said that Mr. Risdale, proprietor of the Bealey Hotel, considered the river would be fordable in two hours if it stopped raining. It was still raining. Mr. Conlon, overseer, Public Works Department, considered that McGuire’s Creek would be right to cross in two hours. He did not know the conditions of the road beyond that point westwards. The information which led to the abandonment of the trip was that a slip had occurred at Rocky Point, Wainihinihi and prevented the cars getting through. It had held up the cars which made the attempt yesterday.

TELEGRAPH AT BEALEY.

(Special to “Star.”)

CHRISTCHURCH, April 28. Some nerve wracking experiences have 1 fallen to the lot of the large party who have been endeavouring to reach Christchurch from the West Coast, for about a week. Mr W. S. Read, of Sydney, who was accompanied by his sister, Miss Read, was a member of the party which arrived at Christchurch last night. “We left Greymouth on Saturday, said Mr Read, “and we got as. far as McGrath’s Creek. We could not go any further, so we had to get back to Otira an(l stay the night there. There were about 100 in the party and they were well looked after , a t, the hotel. We had excellent meals and excellent sleeps. We all got beds.” ‘‘The. drivers were great,” continued Mr Read., “We got right through today without a hitch. We left, Otira at 9 a.m. and here we are at 11 o’clock. . Describing the crossing of the flooded creek, Mr Read said that the cars were driven into the. water and were mes by a cart with two horses which took luggage and passengers aerpss. When on the Canterbury side, the party transferred to the other cars and came on to Christchurch. As reports received in Christchurch regarding the state of the Bealey ford , have been unreliable, the chief Telegraph Engineer has authorised the opening ef a telegraph office at the ford if the strike continues. The Chief Postmaster stated to-day that the post and telegraph office, at Arthur’s Pass railway station is nine miles from the ford and it appeared as though the telegraph operator was being supplied with wrong information; It was not contended that the operator was deliberately supplying false reports, but that there was. something wrong with the information depended upon. Several instances, of. conflicting reports regarding the state of the ford have occurred, and it, is in order to overcome any feeling of uncertainty that the Department has. decided to open a separate office.