HUGE LAND SLIDE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1784, 15 June 1906, Page 2

HUGE LAND SLIDE.

THE BULLER RIVEB DAMMED UP

A RISE OF 200 FEET. MAIN DANGER PAST. (Per Press Association.) Westport, last night. Word was reoeived from Lyell, about 44 miles up the Buller river, this afternoon that a huge land slide had occurred from the mountain abont a mile and a quarter. ■ above Lyell, effectually blocking theßullSr'" river, and causing tbe river behind the barricade to rise for 200 feet.

Dredging and shipping were warned to be prepared for a flood of water in ease of the dam giving way suddenly. Later in the day, a considerable portion of the embankment, mostly the trees and the loose earth, gradually gave way, and the river assumed almost its normal level without doing, so far as has. been .at present ascertained, any damage. It is feared, however, that further slips may ooour,

LATER MESSAGE.

A telegram just to hand from LyelP states that the breakaway of the backed-, np waters, wbioh aooumulated for upwards * of two hours, was gradual. So effeotually was the gorge blocked' that during that period only a few heads of water trickled through, and the river everywhere within a mile of the stoppage could be easily waded; There is still a large quantity of water' backed up, but the boulders are so large and the cliffs on either Bide so rockbound that there is little danger of a sadden rash. Tbe waters are still hemmed in by a mass . of debris, 80 feet above the normal level. It is now raining steadily, and a slight fresh will remove the obstruction, but it is not thought that any serious damage wilt - ooour. A SERIOUS PERIL. Had the waters broken away suddenly ; when the dam waß at its height, the entire valley woald have been swept from here to Westport. The slips have gradually subsided, and the main danger is past. 1

LATEST MESSAGE. ) A telegram from Lyell at 10.15 p.tStT* says: 11 The rain has ceased. Slips continue to fall, but nothing serious if anticipated.”

POSTMASTER’S REPORT.

(Per Press AsßociatioQ.) Nelson, last night. The postmaster at Lyell reported iy telegraph, this afternoon that a huge slip had oconrred on the monatain side a mile and a quarter above Lyell, and had blocked the Buller river, farming a great dam:2oo feet high. A little water was percolating, through the mass, and fears were enter-*' tained that the river would baok Up until the dam carried away, and that devastation would result. Warnings were consequently sent down tbe river. He subsequently reported that the river was washing the debris away, and that the river was fast assuming its normal proportions, the threatened danger - being over. It was reported that further big slips were threatening, but no farther damage was reported*