INTERRUPTED TELEGRAPH LINES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6937, 29 October 1900, Page 3

INTERRUPTED TELEGRAPH LINES.

p MESSAGES ACCEPTED AT SENDERS 1 RISK. After the heavy gales on Saturday night, Mr Mason, officer in charge at Christchurch, had the various lines tested yesterday, and found that they were all in order, and up to about 8.45 a.m. to-day they were all working satisfactorily. Shortly after nine o'clock, however, it was found impossible to get any communication ' north of Kaikoura, or west of the Bealey, and the south line was the only one remaining intact. This has resulted in Christchurch being completely cut off from Wellington and the West Coast. " No reason can be assigned for the sudden breakdown, but it is probable that the northern portion of this island and the West Coast has been visited this morning by a similar gale to that experienced here during Saturday night. In order that telegrams may reach their destination as speedily as possible, .Mr Mason decided, when communication was not restored at noon to-day, to accept telegrams at the senders' risk, and if comunication is not again established in time, they will be forwarded! to Wellington by tonight's steamer, and those for tine West Coast and the North Island will be sent on from there. In the meantime, the linemen have been sent out from both, the Bealey and Kaikoura to endeavour to clear the wires.