MIDLAND LINE

Hokitika Guardian, 30 March 1927, Page 1

MIDLAND LINE

(Christchurch " Press.”) Heavy expenditure on the Midland line laces the Railway Department, end the local engineers arc of the opinion that practically continuous work protecting the embankments will he necessary for the next twelve months. Most of the work will be rej air- to groynes and weakened banks. •• The Realty is cutting in here, there, and everywhere. - ’ said one of the engineers on Monday. Ihc AVaima* kariri river was also eroding a little, l.e remarked, and a big rock groyne was at present under construction at the AVaimakariri bridge. Boisterous conditions were the lot of ■.no men who toiled for long shifts in gum boots and overcoats to make the line safe at Cora Lynn. Rain fell nearly all the time, and the river constantly washed away the gravel as it was shovelled into the torrent under the suspended sleepers. It was not until Sunday morning that the river was diverted from the permanent way by the discharge ot thirty waggon loads of Kaituna stone. Before this Saturday’s expresses had actually run over the damaged portion of the line, which had beneath it a rushing torrent eight feet in depth. Last week a wall of cement bags full of sand and gravel withstood the river until Friday night, when incessant rain caused the water to rise and breach the obstruction.

BEALEY RISES RABIDLY. 'flu, Beai’ey rose between three and lour feet during Friday night, and it was at least H inches higher all day on Saturday than on !' relay. Much of the work already done was rendered useless, the water flowing freely under the line again. So exhausted were the men that no work was done on Monday at the break. The line was open for traffic In either direction. Bp to til men, which was the maximum number available were employed on the repairs. They worked from about 0 a.m. daily to < p.m. Many were carried by special train from Springfie IVI every morning. j Immediately above a long curve in the line the Bealey broke through a large groyne and so reached tho embankment. scouring it away. Half of the groyne was carried away. The water was practically up to the rail level. At the hack of the curve in the line the river came in again and damaged another 250 feet about three chains nearer the Bealey bridge and within twelve chains of it. Luckily plenty of ballast was obtainable front a shingle pit at Sawyer’s Creek, near Cora Lynn. No further damage is likely to result from Afonday’s rain as the stone protective work will deflect the river, but another high flood may cause it to break through somewhere else. There is still’ a subsidence of three or four feet in the line, hut it will be gradually lifted to its former position. At least a week’s work remains to be done.