BLOCK ON THE LINES.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1888, 24 October 1913, Page 6

BLOCK ON THE LINES.

' EXPRESS TRAINS STUCK UP. HEAVY UP-COUNTRY FLOODS. (By Tfkjraiili—Prcea AEoociatlon.) Marton, October 23. About 11 o'clock last- night rain set in, and it is continuing steadily. In consequence tho streams aro all in high fitiod, and tho low-lying country is swamped. Tho Tutaenui stream is in its highest flood for years. Several houses have been flooded', and ethers are threatened. In tho north end of tho town the wator is flowing oyer tho road, and in several instances is also over/lowing tho country. So, far tho dam that burst, and was recently patched up, is standing tlio strain well. Trains rcaohin.g town this afternoon wore tato, Tho 2.15 train to Taihapo was blocked between two big slips between Hunterville and Silverhope, and also was behind time betweon Silverliopo and Rata. Tho Main Trunk express to Auckland was hold up at Marton, and most probably will do unablo to proceed till to-morrow night. Particulars aro moagro so far as damage is concerned, but the crops will no doubt suffer. Tho Porewa stream .is in high flood, and tho Rangitikei Ilivor is rising rapidly. TAIHAPE REPORT. Talhape, October 28. Owing to the washout on tho line near Rata and a slip noar Hunterville, tho 'Wellington-Auckland express was' held up at Marton, and was not oblo to got through to-night. Thora aro numerous small slips on the lino, and, it is not possible to get a train through to connect with tho express. The second express from Auoklaud, which arrives hero at 12.80 a.m., will probably be held up at Ohakune to-nignt or at Taikapo. A mixed train from Marton this afternoon was unable to, get th,rough, and a mixed train leaving bore for the south at 3.85 p.m. was also stuck up. So far no slips have been ro>, ported north of Taihape, but, as heavy rain continues, slips are probable. A. goods train is stuck up between th 1 * washouts and slips. FURTHER PARTICULARS. Palmerston, Ootober 23. Only meagre details aro available a? tho interruption on tho Main Trunk line at Silverhope, near Hunterville. Tho trouble is caused by a washout of a rather extonsivo nature. The Main . Trunk express which left Wellington [ this afternoon is held up at Marton with small prospoct of getting through ; to-night. The night express for the north, is expected to arrive here from . Wellington at tho usual timo, but pas- , sengers are only being booked for as . far north as Marton. It is likely that ' the train will be sent back to Welling- . ton, Smallor interruptions are reported t at ether places- up tho Main Trunk lino, , tho details of which are not yot to hand. On the 'Wanganui line there is a slip between Fordell and Wanganui. Qn i tho Hawko's. Bay section the late train > from Napier, bringing visitors from the • Hastings Show, is held up temporarily, 1 by a slip at Matamau. 1 It'is not known how long traffic oit I the Main Trunk line will be held up. ■ Rain is still falling here, and the Mana--1 watu River is very high, and rising ! very rapidly. Floods a.ro feared. MANAWATU RIVER RISING. (By Oorrosuondcnt.) ■Palmerston, October 23. Rain lias fallen) steadily for the last eighteen liours, ajid is still continuing. Though the river is rising appreciably, it has not yet reached a level calculated! to cause apprehension of damage. It ig estimated that 1$ inches of rain haver fallen. Tho fact that the local flaxmillers have not yet received tho usual warning from Woodville indicates thaii the river is not dangerously lugs' in that locality,