A HOLD-UP

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 6, 2 October 1920, Page 7

A HOLD-UP

ON THE MAIN TRUNK LINE

SLIPS AND WASHAWAYS

CAUSE DELAY

The rain experienced here on Thursday was much more violent in character in the middlo c-f the North Island, and a serious state of things is reported from many points along the linos of communication. The midday Main -Trunk express from .Wellington on Thursday succeeded in getting through, but slips between M'ataroa and 'Manga weka and a washout between Huntervillo and Rata have since blocked the lino. Thursday's express from Auckland'was held up at Taihape, and . the night down express only got as far as Ohakune. The night express from. Wellington was held up at Marton, pending a clearance of the line. The passengers from the Auckland train at Oliakuno were brought on by road yesterday to Taihape, 'but when the train "could leave there for' the _ south could not be told -yesterday, as it still raining in the central section, and tho outlook f?r an early clearance was the reverse of bright. It was still pouring' there yesterday morning. The midday express for the north yesterday was cancelled, and similar action was taken regarding the 1 p.m. express at Auckland. The Department is making arrangements to refund the money for sleeping berths, reserved seats, and railway fares, with tiho alternative cf transference to th> first trains that may be despatched. The .north-bound express 'got away, from Wellington last night, but was only to go as far ..as Marton. that night. FLOODS IN TAIHAPE DISTRICT ' RAILWAY EXPRESSES HELD. UP. By Telegraph—Press Association. Taihape, October 1. There was an exceptionallv heavy fall of rain throughout the Taihape district last liight, causing the highest floods in the memory of old settlers. There are several slips on the Main Trunk line south of Taihape,-between Utiku ' and Mangaweka, two washouts between Mangaweka and Hunterville, also a big land slide on the railway between Taihape and Mctaroa. The express from Auckland was held tip at Hihitahi. The night express from Auckland reached Taihape, but cannot proceed further until the slips are removed, and the line repaired. A goods train from the south got through, but the axle boxes of' the guard's van were stripped off through • striking the debris. The worst obstruction is between Taihape and Mataroa, as the slip completely covered the lino, and damaged the rails. All . the railway services have been susDended. It is understood that tha express which left Wellington on Thtrsdav at midday sot safely fthrongh. The Taihape Borough Council's electric ppwer was seriously damaged by a mksli-ed-out tree falling from a bank dcwi,< fifty feet, smashing a , part of 'the olectric cables. . The damnsre cannot be repaired until late in the day* rendering publication' of the local newspaper impossible. Rivers and _ watercourses are overflowing in every direction.

. The railway line south of Taihape was temporarily patched ltn to allow the express which left Auckland on Thursday to leavo Taihape about I o'clock on; Frid-iy afternoon for Wellington. The linf'nortb of Taihape will not bo cleared to permit the express lo pass'till n.iddny on Saturdnyi Fortunately, the express- due at Auckland on Friday v-ns able to get back from -"the Uihita'ii blockade to Ohakune.

Apparently the heaviest slip is lierwcen Taihape and Mataroa, and large gcngs are .working on'the slip <!a.v and night clearing- n, passage .for Saturday's expresses, leaving the main 'vorb for !ji nday. To make matters worab the north and south, roads are blocked to me torcars and other traffic. 'JRny district roads are also impassable. I'p till Friday afternoon it was almost in possible to leave Taihape owing to slips and (f.i.shouts. ,