BLACKBALL ISOLATED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19194, 7 December 1925, Page 8

BLACKBALL ISOLATED.

SERIOUS BRIDGE COLLAPSE. COMPLETE GAP IN RAILWAY. MONTHS OF IDLENESS AHEAD. OTHER WEST COAST DAMAGE. [BY TELEGRAPH."rPRESS ASSOCIATION.] GRBYMOUTH, Sunday. » Except for the Arnold River from Lake Brunner, which yesterday remained swollen, the flood waters quickly subsided. The chief damage was round Kotuku. A small bridge collapsed, blocking the traffic. The only serious result is the destruction of the railway bridge across the Grey River between Ngahere and Blackball, of which 320 ft. has been dislocated. One span was carried down stream. It is stated to be one of the worst bridge mishaps the Railway Department has had anywhere. Mr. H. C. Lusty, assistant-railway engineer, Canterbury, arrived yesterday and is visiting the scene to-day. A week will be required to clear the wreckage, and the repair work at the bridge will take months. In the meantime thero is no outlet for the coal from Blackball, and many miners will be rendered idle, also two sawmills. Blackball is isolated at present, and the old bridle track may need to be used for the conveyance of provisions or else a rope across the river. Apart from the bridge the other damage is less than was anticipated, being confined chiefly to washouts. Traffic generally was resumed yesterday. THE MIDLAND RAILWAY. EXPECTED CLEAR TO-DAY. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, Sunday. It is expected that the Midland line will be repaired by tomorrow to enable the usual schedule to be run.