WEST BOAST TRAIN.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 September 1917, Page 1

WEST BOAST TRAIN.

IMG SUP NEAR. AVOCA

[PKK CHESS ASSOCIATION .—CO WRIGHT.]

CHRISTCHURCH. Sept. 12.

Bather a serious slip occurred on the West Coast railway line early yesterday morning. The train wns_ only two miles this side of Avoca when the slip was seen! Bain had been falling very heavily for some hours and this was sufficient to cause the obstruct-

Springiield was quickly communicated with for assistance and shortly after receiving the call a work train was dispatched to.the scene. 4he train had not proceeded far however, when a small slip was met with and some time was occupied in -..clearing it. Shortly after another slip again stopped progress. This took longer to clear.

No further obstructions were met with until the work train readied the slip which was holding up the Coast train. This proved considerably larger than at first thought and it was not until after several hours’ strenuous 'labour that the train was able to proceed on its wav to Christchurch, nearly ten hours behind schedule time. It was not until 4.30 o’clock "this morning that the train arrived at Christchurch station with a very tired load of, passengers. Advice received by the Railway Department to-day stated that rain was still falling heavily, and unless the 'downpour ceased early .there was a likelihood of further slips taking place.