STORM DAMAGE

Hokitika Guardian, 24 March 1927, Page 2

STORM DAMAGE

WASH-OUTS ON' MIDLAND LINE. j here was heavy rain yesterday fit Arthurs Pass, live inches of rain being recorded between i) a.in. and -1 p.m. The result was a severe flood in the Beaiey Pivor, which had a serious effect upon the Midland Pailwav line, causing a wash-outsat Cora Lynn, on the Arthur’s Pass side ol the station. The scene at the erosion is at the place where the hist washout, occurred, ami where an old locomotive was deposited in order to cheek further erosion. There was also a washout at Rotoiiiiiuu which caused some delay in the transit of the passengers who left by yesterday afternoon's train tor Otira, they having to “tranship at the scene of this washout. Ihe Railway Department at once set to work with the work ot repair, mid, with a gang engaged in the meantime, it is expected to have trains running to-day past Patonianu as usual. In the ease of the Cora Lynn trouble, however, it is not expected to elici t repairs so speedily. the washout there being more serious, so that the Department will at this end accept only hand luggage, and overland passengers wii'l require to tranship across the break in the line. The goods traffic on the .Midland lino was suspended last night, and will not he resumed until further notice. There was no damage yesterday reeoided either on Peefton or the Hokitika line.

TELEGRAPH INTKIiKUPTIOXS,

.Hi the lines to Christchurch from Greymouth were “ Vest ” during the day, except one going by way of .Aloana. In fact, if- was evident that lines in the North Island were damaged as well as those in the South Claud, as work from Auckland bore evidence of a collide of hours’delay. There was no telegraphic communication possible last night with Westport which had become isolated, so that in the Bailer George the line must have developed faults. Near Teremakau a serious fault was caused in the telegraphic line, hut by last night the local office had secured communication wii'n Christchurch on three lines, though no messages could he sent- by the northern route to Wellington.

COP A LYNN WASHOUT. REPAIRS BEING EFFECTED. [lit TELEGRAPH —PER I’ItF.SS ASSOCIATION'.] CHRISTCHURCH, March 21. .A break of 2!0 feet near Cora Lynn on the Midland railway line is still unrepaired. Goods traffic is held up and passengers will have to walk over the slip. Beaiey Pivor is now falling and repairs are expected to he completed by Saturday. Last night’s gale also interrupted telegraphic communication. Everything is now normal.

DELUGE AT DUNEDIN. DUNEDIN, March 23. At about I a.m. this morning, heavy rain, which had been threatening for some hours, set, in in earnest, and at davi'ight it was .'till pouring steadily. Throughout the whole day the downpour (ontinued monotonously, the only change in 28 hours being for the worse. At times the fall was torrential, and at 7 p.m. two inches ol rain had fallen for the day. A cold wind made tilings doubly unpleasant. The inclement conditions caused the postponement or abandonment of many sports fixtures. The only event which was held, in spite of the weather, was the Port Chalmers Regatta, the whole programme being gone through in wretchid conditions.

The public holiday for the 75tli anniversary of tlie Otago Province was -noiit. It was the worst weather for the holiday experienced for many

The reunion of the early settlers was held, but one .or two outdoor functions had to be abandoned. The rain shows no signs of ceasing at present.