SUBSIDENCE ON THE MAIN TRUNK LINE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8543, 25 March 1908, Page 5

SUBSIDENCE ON THE MAIN TRUNK LINE.

AN UNDERGROUND CAVE. ' Per Pres9 Association. TAIHAPE, March 25. An extraordinary circumstance is reported from the Main Trunk works. It appears that a cutting above Waiouru, on the line proper, suddenly subsided, showing the presence of a large bottomless cave. At 'present trains do not run over this line, but go by way of what, is eonimonly known as " the Deviation." 11 i:-, stated the cutting, which is a large one, will be practically useless, and will im-G-ve a large amount in making it safe. The subsidence occurred when the workmen were widening the cutting. Later. The cave in the Waiouru cutting is 15 feet. deep, running at right angle# across the formation. It is. believed to bi' an old dricd-up underground watercourse. and it is anticipated that, it can be filled up with stones without trouble. A Palmerston resident who has just come from the vicinity of Waiouru informs lis (hat the cave was discovered some time ago, but the authorities were reticent about it. He says attempts to fill it lip have failed, tons of material having simply disappeared when put into (he subsidence. The occurrence, it is considered, will delay the completion of the fine, and may prove a very serious matter. Meanwhile a temporary line has been laid round, the cave, but only small loads can be taken. An unfortunate feature of the affair is that- a number of sawmills will be prevented from working unless proper communication be resiorcd. A paragraph relating to the subsidence appeared in the " Standard " last week.