ROAD AND RAIL TRAFFIC DISLOCATED.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 22 June 1929, Page 7

ROAD AND RAIL TRAFFIC DISLOCATED.

TWO AKATARAWA ROAD BRIDGES W T ASHED AWAY PAEKAK. HILL OBSTRUCTED. WELLINGTON, Last Night. All the main thoroughfares from Wellington to the Wairarapa and the Manawatu are blocked as a result of heavy rain that has been falling continuously for the past few days. The Paekakariki Hill road is blocked by a series of slips but the most serious has occurred in the Taita Gorge. This will not be cleared before Wednesday at least. As many men as can possibly be employed on the job are clearing the debris. Shifts are working night and day, great electric beacons having been erected.

The road to the Manawatu via Akatarawa is blocked through two small bridges having been washed away. The only means of communication between the Wairarapa and Wellington is via the Moon-shine-Pahautunui route but this road is very narrow and should not be attempted, except by the most experienced drivers. Earth Shaken Down By Train Vibration SEVERAL WAGONS DERAILED. OTAKX RACEHORSES FOR SYDNEY MISS CONNECTION. WELLINGTON, Last Night. At 4.17 p.m. to-day, a mixed goods ti'aia had several wagons derailed when it Avas passing near the same place between Paekakariki and Pukerua Bay at Avhich the derailment of the JMcav Plymouth express occurred on Thursday and again blocked the line for traffic. There Avcre only 1;avo or three passengers on the train, none of whom was injured. Transhipment arrangements were made for the derailed and subsequent trains and the up limited express was despatched via the Wairarapa from Lambton station at 8.27 p.m. The causes of the derailment trad not boon ascertained to-night, but it Avas thought that it Avas possibly due to loose material from the hillside falling as the train Avas passing, as the engine was not derailed. Due to those delays, the racehorses of Mr. Doug. Webster, of Otaki. missed the connection with the Mahenn for Sydney.