TRAINS DELAYED

Hokitika Guardian, 14 June 1929, Page 7

TRAINS DELAYED

SLIP ON MANAWATU LINE

ALL TRAFFIC DISORGANISED

WELLINGTON, June 12,

A washout estimated to he twelve feet deep and seventy-five feet in width occurred on the railway line between Te Horo and Waikanae this afternoon. As a result of this all railway traffic on the Manawatu line was disorganised, the trains being unable to pa,ss until late to-night.

Since the washout occurred at a time when expresses were expected from northern stations, and from Wellington, it was found necessary to despatch trains from the city to the spot, and also to have a train in readiness at the other side in order to take passengers who would have to firanship from the Wellington-Auck-land express, which should have left Wellington at 2 p.m., hut which did not depart until 3 p.m. The passengers were duly transhipped at the slip. When the Wellington-bound expresses arrived from Napier and from New Plymouth, the passengers were transhipped to-trains waiting on this ;ide of the spot, the Napier passengers arriving in Wellington at 5.30 p.m. .instead of at 4 p.m., and the New Plymouth passengers shortly alter 9 p.m. instead of at 6.3 p.m. The night “Limited” to Auckland, which was scheduled to leave here at 7.15 p.m. got away at 10 p.m. by which time the wash-out had been sufficiently cleared to enable the train lo pass right through. It is understood that many portions of the main road are under water, although there has boon no disorganisation of traffic.