SERVICE CAR FORCED BACK BY FALLING ROCKS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18788, 18 June 1929, Page 10

SERVICE CAR FORCED BACK BY FALLING ROCKS.

DRIVER HAS BAD TIME ON TRIP. Per Press Association. NELSON, June 18. All the wa3* from Glenhope to Owen the roadway is in a state of wreckage, particularly towards Owen, where immense falls of earth and boulders cover the roadway in various places. At this part men engaged on road improvements and the railway daily put in blasts and this has had the effect of loosening the earth all around.

Gibbs’s service car left for the Coast at the usual hour yesterday morning and the driver was destined to undergo an experience, which he has no desire to have repeated. Stones, boulders and trees were falling in all directions and before Owen was reached further progress was found to be utterly impossible and the car return-

ed to town at eight o’clock last night in a very battered condition and with its engine damaged. At Glenhope (1250 feet above sea level) the shocks experienced were terrifying in the extreme. Not a chimney has been left standing, and all crockery has been dislodged from shelves and dressers and smashed to atoms on the floor. Most of the inhabitants were to be seen erecting tents and tarpaulins, being afraid to spend the night in their homes, which are in a state of desolation.

A Graphic Story. A graphic description of the experiences of the people of Tarakohe, was given by members of the crew of the steamer Orepuki, which was resting on the bottom alongside the Tarakohe wharf. The vessel wobbled about during the ’quake and the wharf swayed to such an extent that the workmen had to lie down to prevent being thrown into the sea. A four-ton lift on the wharf was hurled into the water and steel girders and parts of an unconstructed crane were strewn about in all ways. The swaying to and fro of the high cliffs and rocks in the vicinity of the cement works had a paralysing effect on those who witnessed it. Everyone on the wharf and in the works had a terrifying experience when the swaying cliff's near the power house began to slip away and thousands of tons of earth slid with a loud roar to the level ground below. It is estimated that C.OCO tons fell near the power house. One great block, estimated to weigh 500 tons, was hurled down without 1 reaking. Several people on the road ;• ound the cliffs had, the unenviable experience of seeing the road and the cliff part for about four feet and join again, and then part, leaving a gaping fissure between the road and the cliff. The road between Pohara Beach and Tarakohe is blocked by slips and fissures. The body of the engineer who was killed at the power house was taken in one of the Orepuki’s boats to Pohara Beach.

AN EARLIER REPORT. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, June 17. The Acting-Secretary of the General Post Office has received the following further information in connection with the earthquake from the postmaster at Murchison, forwarded by messenger to Glenhope— An earthquake, commencing at 10 a.m., culminated in a severe shock at 10.26 a.m., which caused considerable havoc. The Matakitaki River is blocked by a slip of thousands of tons, killing four people. The Buller River is blocked by slips in the vicinity of Fern Flat. Residents are camping in the school ground as the houses are uninhabitable. Two men are missing. Severe tremors with loud reports still continuing. From the Chief Postmaster at Christ, church:— From Greymouth no communication with Westport, and little chance of getting through to-night. The following has been received from Glenhope:— Please arrange to broadcast from 2YA that the Buller River is blocked. Westport should be advised urgently that if the river breaks suddenly a big flood is to be expected. Severe shock continuing.