STOPPAGE OF TRAINS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18381, 23 April 1923, Page 8

STOPPAGE OF TRAINS.

LINES UNDER WATER.

THAMES, TE AROHA, WAIHI.

WASHOUTS AND SLIPS. [BY TELEGRVPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WAIHI. Saturday. The easterly gale which set in on Thursday reached its height during last night . and caused considerable flooding in the low-lying parts of the district, including sections of the Thames-Paoroa and Waihi railway lines. ' The effect has caused an interruption of railway service between Te Aroha and Paeroa, Thames and Paeroa, and Paeroa and Waihi. The line is under water for a considerable distance in the neighbourhood of Puriri and Omahu, and no trains could pass over it to-day..

Serious washouts have occurred on the line between „Te Aroha and Paeroa. Slips have occurred on the Paeroa-Waihi section, and the road between the two towns has" been rendered impassable to vehicular traffic by heavy falls of earth and rock. The Ohinemuri River has been running within an inch or two of the level of the stop-banks, and the water almost reached the decking of the main bridge at Paeroa. -• As a consequence of the storm, an interruption in the Hbrahora transmission line has taken place, causing stoppage of ; the running yesterday and to-day > of the Waihi Company's battery - at Waikino and a partial interruption to the operations in the mine. The repairs to ; the line were completed to-day and power in due course will be restored.. ' During the past 48 hours tho rainfall in Waihi registered lO.Olin. From what can be learned the damage to the line between Te Aroha and Paeroa is of unusual dimensions, but no information is available as to when the usual timetable can be resumed. Large gangs of men are engaged in effecting repairs. ■