BLOCKED

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1569, 12 October 1912, Page 2

BLOCKED

NORTH & SOUTH EXPRESSES. EIGHT HEAVY SLIPS. THREE THOUSAND TONS FALL. (Bj Telosraph.-Press Association.) Auckland, October 11. Tho Taumamnui correspondent of ono of the Auckland papers telegraphs: The most serious slips hitherto experienced on tho Main Trunk lino occurred late last night between Horopito and Oliakuno when eight falls took plnco at different points within ono mile of each other. The mass of earth and roots dislodged amounted to 3000 tons. Neither tho north nor the south-bound express got through. Tho latter was held up at Taumarumii. Abnormally heavy, rain fell last night and so loosened the soil that, as fast as clearances were made,, fresh falls came down again in parts, and it is extremely unlikely that communication will bo established to-day as tho number of-slips makes it impossible to transfer passengers' luggago from ono sido of tho slip to tho other. Tho advice received by tho Auckland branch of the Railway Department is to tho effect that about two miles of tho permanent way between Horopito and Ohakune aro affected by the slips, and it is anticipated that it will bo some time before the lino is cleared;

Arrangements havo been mado by the Department for passengers who left Axickland by the Main Trunk express last night to be conveyed by coach from Horopito to Ohakune where they will be met by a special train, and taken on to Wellington.

It is not expected that south-bound passengers will be seriously delayed. Owing to the stretch of road between Ohakuno and Horopito, over which the coach passes, being unsafo at night, passengers by tho north-bound express will, of necessity, spend to-night at tho former place, and will be taken to Horopito to-morrow morning where they will bo met by a special train and brought on to Auckland.

The south-bound Main Trunk express will bo dispatched from Auckland tonight.

A telegram has been received by the Ran?itikei Sawmillers' Association from Taihape stating, owing to slips on tho me, no goods traffic can betaken through to Auckland for four or five days. ' Taihape, October 11. Several slips on the railway between Onakune and Horopito last night entirely blocked traffic—possibly for two or throe days._ Tho express is held «p at iaumaruuui. The area affected is about two miles. All available men havo been dispatched to tho locality, and everv effort will be made to clear tho line as soon as possible.