BLOWN OFF THE LINE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2841, 4 August 1916, Page 6

BLOWN OFF THE LINE

RAILWAY MISHAP

ON THE MANAWATU LINE ANOTHER TRAIN DERAILED GALE RAZES TREES AMD TELEGRAPHS. Gales with an appctito for trees, telegraph poles, and trains aro rarities in New Zealand, but one passed through Lower Manawatu yesterday, and left somewhat ample evidence of its visit. The heavy and bitterly cold southerly, which has increased Wellington's respect for its fireside in tho last few days, has beon hustling through some portions of tho island at particularly high velocity. Its chief accomplishment is the blowing off tho line of a railway train, near Makerua, about 20 miles south of Palmerston.

The trouble at Makerua began on Wednesday night, when the wind uprooted a .tree and cast it across the railway track. Tho "night goods" from Paekakariki to Palmerston North happened along about .midnight, and was derailed. Men. set to work to clear, the line, for tho Wellington-Auckland express would soon show up on its run north. They toiled in the wind, the wet, tho cold, and the dark, by tho fitful lights of lanterns, and toward daylight the express was let through—five hours late.

Yesterday morning tho mixed train, which leaves Paekakariki at 6.ffl for Palmerston North, received a considerable buffeting from the gale, and when it reached Makerua it was lifted off tho rails and dumped down a 9ft. bank. Tho train consisted of tho engine, three cars, six wagons, a horse-box, and tho guard's van. All were blown off the track except Hie engine and one truck. Thero were only two passengers on the train, and ono of them, a woman, is reported to be suffering from shock. Tho horse was entombed in his box, and had to bo cut out with an axe. Tho horsebox was the first vehiclo to leave tho traiiK It was the lightest of all, but, once it went, the remainder quickly followed.

The accident occurred at about 9.30 in tho morning, but information did not como through cither quickly or amply, as the telegraph wires were down. Throughout tho day tho galo raged, and even lato in tho afternoon it was reported that tho line was nnsafe.

Tho fact that a number of telegraph poles had been blown down increased the difficulties of tho Railway Department in dealing with the situation, as information and instructions hod to be sent by hand from stations on each sido of Makerua. That meant sovcral miles of slow travel.

The mishap occasioned great delay in traffic, and caused a big piling up of important . trains. Tho first morning train from Palmerston North to Wellington got through just before the accident occurred. Prom then on the whole of the traffic between Wellington and Palmerston North was held up. Trains from tho City could not get north past tho break. Trains poured into TitTmerston North all day, but not until 5 p.m. was the congestion relieved. At that hour the line was clcared, and the express from Auckland (duo hero at 2.40) got away.

Then there was the unusual spectacle of all the mail trains turning up in Wellington at tlio one time—tho Main Trunk, the Napier, and tho Kew Plymouth. They all arrived shortly after 8 o'clock. The accident recalls the more serious mishap of the 'Bfl's, when four cars were blow;n off tho lino whilo crossing the "Rimutaka Range, and several people were killed.. HOUSE COLLAPSES AT SHANNON SHEDS AND CHIMNEYS BLOWN DOWN. (By Telegraph—Special Correspondent.) Palmerston North, August 3. Shannon and Tokomaru fared badly in tho storm. It is estimated that 30 chimneys were levelled in Shannon, and much damage was done to fences and houses. Portion of the roof of a new bungalow was wrenched off and carried over a neighbouring house, landing 120 yards away. Mr. C. Jenkins, of Shannon, suspecting trouble, removed his family from the house, and a little later the houso was blown off its piles and collapsed.

When tho gale was at its height, about U a.m., it was impossible to walk along the main streets.

Many largo pino trees were levelled. Tokomaru, near the scene of the railway accident, also suffered, 6heds and chimneys being blown down. 'Many of the neighbouring flaxmills are roofless. DAMAGE IN HAWKE'S BAY MOST SEVERE STORM SINCE 1897. By Telegraph—Press Association. Napier, August 3. Tho most severe storm since 1897 occurred in Httwke's Bay last nigtit and to-day. A south-easterly gale and exceptionally heavy rain caused damage the extent of which is not yot known. Tho country districts are isolated, the' wires being down and roads blocked. There is a slip of 2000 tons of earth on the Wailnarama road (Hawke's Bay County), and tho Marino Parado under Bluif Hill (Napier) is closed to . traffic. A falling stone hit a motor-cur, but no serious damage was done. ' A curious sight is the Parade, covered in some places two or three feet deep with a whito'sea spumo like snow. ■Wavesare breaking over tho sea wall.

Tho express l'rom Wellington was six hours late. Shipping is disorganised, the Wostralia passing tho port and the Edgar E. Luckenbach is sheltering under Capo Kidnappers. Slips arc gonoral throughout the district, anil mails aro held up. The Tutaekuri River burst its banks at Meanec, ar.4 settlers there and elsewhere ara removing their stock to higher levels. The other rivers in the district aro all rising. Many of the main streets of Napier presented an unusual appearauco to-day. The water was right across tho streets, a couplo of feet deep, but the weather shows signs of clearing. SLIPS AND WASHOUTS DAMAGE IN AUCKLAND PROVINCE. Auckland, August 3. The Main Trunk train arrived ij hours lato to-night, owing to the derailment of a local train south of Palmerston, which blocked the line, and also to fallen trees. Considerable damage was done to tho North Auckland lino by tho gale. In one spot north of Ilelensville the lino has been washed out for a distance of two chains. In othor parts extensfvo slips are reported. It is not expected that normal traffic will bo resumed for several days. PLIGHT OF DAEGAVILLE HEAVIEST STORM FOR 20 YEARS. Dargaville, August 3. A tremendous gale, accompanied by heavy rain, has been blowing all day, and 0110 or two buildings threatened to collapse, but as yot there has been 110 damage of importance. Tho storm is tho heaviest experienced for twenty years. Tributaries of tho Northern AVairoa • River are in heavy flood. Tho Wairoa River itself is expected to run a "banker" to-morrow. Low-lying paddocks liavo been converted into lakes at Maugawliaro and in tho suburbs of Dargaville the houses are waterbouud. One family had to leave homo and tako refuge in tho local hotel. This afternoon the rain lightened, but the wind is still howling wildly and tho local telegraph and telcphono services aro interrupted.