LATEST METHODS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 236, 4 September 1945, Page 4

LATEST METHODS

RADIO AND SEARCHLIGHTS. i USE AT GORGE SLIP. Searchlights and two-way radio ’ • communication were used in tho jVlanawatu Gorge, throughout last night to facilitate the continuation of work in clearing the railway line which was covered by a large slide of earth on Sunday. Located between the two large tunnels and about threequarters ot a mile from the Palmerston North entrance of the Gorge, the slip is in what is termed a “greasy” bank of rock formation, this being a type of spoil easily dislodged. Rubble and small slips, not sufficient to cause any major interruption of rail traffic, have been falling at the site frequently during the past week. It is not expected that the full railway service will be restored for several days. Because of the danger caused by falling rubble, which is being dislodged by sluicing, passenger trains are run through the Gorge empty. Numerous Army, Air Force and passenger service vehicles are being used to transport the passengers between Ashhurst and Woodville, the passeiigers again joining the trains after their journey through the Gorge. Trains affected by the dislocation yesterday were the Napier-Wellington and Wellington-Gisbome expresses, while this morning the Palmerston N T orth-N T apier passenger service was still interrupted. . ... I The water for the sluicing is being drawn from the river with the aid of a section of liose leading to a pump, where it is boosted through more hose to the scene of operations. A pump, similar in construction to those ■ used by fire brigades, has .been taken as far up the hillside above the site of the slip -as_.it will go, and loose rock formation is being washed into the valley. | "With the aid of the searchlight I equipment, which was transported I tiom Trentham Military Camp, work ! proceeded throughout last night; The powerful beams were directed_ from big vehicles on the roadway in the Gorge, across the river, on to the face of the cliff, where railway workmen were further aided by portable lights powered by electricity generated from Railway Department apparatus. To maintain communication between the parties on the road and at the slip, and so that warnings of any approaching danger could be given, a two-way radio unit was in constant use. ' A small slide of earth fell across the roadway in the Gorge about D o’clock on Sunday morning but was not sufficient to block vehicular traffic. The road was completely blocked, however, by a slip which fell about half a mile from the Palmerston North end of the Gorge about noon. A good one-way traffic clearance was made for small vehicles about an hour later, but this was not adequate to allow the heavy buses, then being used for transporting train passengers, to get through. Tho latter were unable to proceed until nearly 6 o’clock. An hour later Public Works Department employees had the road restored to its previous condition. The Public Works Department foreman in charge of the Gorge highway said today that motorists should take special care when approaching and passing the Army vehicles now stationed on the highway because of the railway slip.