ENORMOUS SLIDE RUINS HOME

Southland Times, Issue 24011, 29 December 1939, Page 4

ENORMOUS SLIDE RUINS HOME

DEBRIS PILES UP IN ROOMS

EXPERIENCE OF FAMILY NEAR WELLINGTON

(United Press Association)

WELLINGTON, December 28. Descending from a hill behind with a deafening roar, an enormous landslide of many thousands of tons partially engulfed the homestead of Mr E. L. Riddiford, at Orongorongo, late on Tuesday night, when the rainstorm was at its height. The rear wall of the house did not fall but rubble and silt poured in through broken windows and doors. Mr Riddiford’s beautiful garden, one of the finest in the Wellington, district, was largely ruined, silt spreading over a wide area.

The landslide occurred' without warning at about 11.30 p.m., Mr and Mrs Riddiford, their small daughter and other occupants of the house receiving a rude awakening. The servants, whose quarters were at the back of the house, had a terrifying experience. Debris -piled up in their rooms to within an inch or two of the tops of the windows. Silt accumulated through the house, in some places to a depth of a foot and water poured straight through and out of the front door. BELONGINGS LOST The house was not vacated till daylight, however, as there appeared to be no danger. Mr and Mrs Riddiford, their daughter and the other occupants then moved to the men’s quarters some distance away on another part of the property. It was not possible for the servants to rescue all their personal belongings. Indeed, they were fortunate to escape uninjured. Details of the mishap were slow to

read. Wellington as the telephone wires to the homestead were brought down by a slip. In addition, the road to the station was blocked by slips and is still blocked. It is unlikely that it will be open till Saturday. The water and drainage system at the homestead were also destroyed. The slip came as a complete surprise to all at Orongorongo as none had ever occurred behind the homestead before. It was apparently caused partly by a small creek which rose to an abnormal height. Mr Riddiford intends to gain expert opinion before deciding what to do, but it' appears it would be impossible to clear the slip except by employing a fleet of bull dozers. It is very doubtful whether the house will ever be reoccupied and Mr Riddiford jnay have to rebuild on another - site.