A BIG EARTH-SLIDE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 820, 18 May 1910, Page 6

A BIG EARTH-SLIDE.

IN THE CITY. BRICK BUILDING CARRIED AWAY OTHERS IN DANGER. . What proved to bo a serious earthslide occurred at the rear of Barrett's Hotel last evening, when a portion of the high walled-in bank slipped away, currying with it h portion of a brick building belonging to the hotel property. This bauk, which extends in graduated height, from Woodward Street (oil Lambton Quay) to the north nearly to Boulcott Street (at the corner of Willis and -Manners Streets) has caused a good deal of trouble to property-owners from timo to time, owing to its treacherous nature. In regard to tho section which slipped away yesterday, little warning was given. The heavy rain of the previous night is considered tho cause of the fall, the danger of which was first noted by Mr. Gavin, proprietor of the Queen's Private Hotel, which is perched on the top of the rise (entrance to which is gained by a private right-of-way off Dimmer's Steps). He discovered that his backyard—a narrow strip of land between the hotel and the edge of the backhad sunk about a foot (hiring the night, and tho asphalt was split with big wacfe. It was found that the brick wall supporting the back had bulged out auj split open at one point, and that the

entire length of the wall, which was in ii measure supported l)y a brick uuildvws, tVvs too? o£ which was about on a level with tho top of tho bank, had u decided bulge outwards. The attention of the owner of the Queen's .Hotel properly (Mr. H. Pliuimer) was called to the subsidence, and lie at once called in Mr. W. Turnbull (architect), Mr. W. H. Morton (City Engineer), and Messrs. Campbell and Bourke (contractors). It was decided to endeavour lo "shore" up the wall and lower, building in such a manner as to render it safe to under-pin the Queen's Hotel. An Ominous CracK. The job was a risky one, as an ominous crack now and again warned those interested that the bank was on tho move. With great promptitude, Messrs. Campbell and Bourke got a gang of men, and a number of stout Oregon pine beams, and hail already placed one "torn" in position, when, at a few minutes after I 5 p in., a section of the bank gave way, tearing off a portion of the brick building below, and half-falling the Backyard of Barrett's Hotel. Fortunately the building was unoccupied, and the yard was clear, and little damage save that mentioned was done. The building destroyed, (the property of Messrs J. A. ami c - Plimuier) a jagged section of which is shown in the accompanying picture, was formerly occupied as "a boardinshouso in connection with one of the houses above, but it bad m>' been in occupation for some considerable time Tho picture also shows the rear . elevation of the Queen's Private Hote , . on the edge of the bank above, and hall. ; way down may be 'seen the earthen face i which, up till last evening was protected , by a brick wall. The white lines which , traverse the picture (which was taken last j evening by flashlight by Mr. ilardiu- , Shaw from the rear root's of Mr. W. J. Lankshear's premises) are drying-lines. , The spot where the fall took placo has . some historical interest. In the early , days the water of the harbour used to : wash up »» tho beach across a , narrow < road opposite Stewart Dawson's corner, ' •it which time the high bank behind that block of building was a bluff called by < tho early settlers Clay Point, on. the top ! nf which a flagstaff, used for signalling ■ the arrival of vessels, and utilised for ;, decorative purposes on high days, and s holidays. In latter years it has been obscured by the high buildings that now n Hank tho main street. [ Water-logged. ]n tho opinion of the city engineer the bank between tho Queen's' Private Hotel and tlio protecting wall, hail become fi water-logged owing to there bi'ing little u . or no cjcapo for tho water which had »i soaked in iind the outward pressure had increased until it exceeded flic, bearing «i strain of I In; wall. The Queen's llnM w Dccjile were warned of the threatened J ul

danger, and some time buore tlie fall occurred had removed all their belongings into tlie "Bay View," a boanliiiahousi" at the back also conducted by Mr. ami Mrs. Gavin.