SERIOUS DISLOCATION OF TRAFFIC BY SLIPS ON ROAD AND RAIL.

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6942, 22 June 1929, Page 8

SERIOUS DISLOCATION OF TRAFFIC BY SLIPS ON ROAD AND RAIL.

Big Fall in Taita Gorge

TWO AKATARAWA ROAD BRIDGES WASHED AWA'

FAEEAE. KILL OBSTRUCTED. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. All the main thoroughfares from Wellington to the Wadrarapa 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 hut 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 he attempted, except by the most experienced drivers.

Earth Shaken Down By Train Vibration SEVERAL WAGONS DERAILED. OTAKI RACEHORSES FOR SYDNEY MISS CONNECTION. WELLINGTON, Last Night. At 4.17 p.m. to-day, a mixed goodi train had several wagons derailed when it was passing near the same place, between Paekakariki and Pukcrua Bay at which tho derailment of the New Plymouth express occurred on Thursday and again blocked the line for traffic. There were only two or three passengers on the train, none of whom was injured. Transhipment arrange- . ments were made for tho derailed and subsequent trains and the up limited express was despatched via the Wairarapa from Lambton station at 8.27 p.m. f ■ . The causes of the derailment had not been ascertained to-night, but it was thought that it was possibly duo to loose material from the hillside falling as the train was passing, as the engine was not derailed. Due to these delays, the' racehorseaof Mr. Doug. Webster, of Otaki. missed the connection with the Maheno for; Sydney.

' —i Further Blockage Near Pukerua Bay # |

ONE SLIP FOLLOWS ANOTHER. I

EXPRESSES FIVE HOURS LATE AT PALMERSTON.

LIMITED AGAIN USES . WAIRARAPA ROUTE.

The railway lino between Packakariki and Wellington again became blocked yesterday afternoon, when a second slip occurred at tho samo spot near Pukerua Bay as the fall on Thursday afternoon. The department had only just cleared tho track to enable tho north-bound Now Plymouth, Napier and Auckland expresses yesterday to get through. The New Plymouth and Napier trains loft on schedule but were about four ■and a half hours at tho scene of the old slip which was cleared at 3 o’clock. The trains reached Palmerston North at Tlic°"ncxt train, however, a mixed train -running from Wellington to Paekakariki—got caught and eight ordinary wagons and a benzine wagon were derailed. As a result of this further mishap tho Limited had again, to be sent via the Wairarapa and arrived in Palmerston North at 3 o 'clock this morning.