THE RAILWAYS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 June 1929, Page 5

THE RAILWAYS.

Practically all Westland railway services ceased after the earthquake. There was a tram to the State Colliery district, where only a small slip occurred. There was no transport possible between Kinmnta and Kotuku owing to bridge and line subsidences. Otira line is all right beyond Ivotuku. There are subsidences on the Hokitika line atiElmcr Lane, South Peach, Paroa, Awatunn and Arahura. The Reefton line is badly buckled in places. . There was a train this morning from (Jrevmouth to Blackball, as well as to Bewanui, but no more wdl run bofaie noon. It is uncertain if a train can run to Hokitika. It is unlikely that any will go to Reefton. ‘be Department is as yet uncertain ot the situation, but there wdl be no rland express to-day. Trams will .un between Christchurch and Otira tomorrow there will be an overlain express between Greymouth and Chi is - church both ways. The train from Hokitika to Grevmoutli and vice versa did not run las night nor this morning. The metals on the Tcrenwknu bridge are reported to he considerably buckled and all railway traffic is held up.

REEFTON REPORT,

REEFTON, June 18

Slight shocks of earthquake were felt all day yesterday, during the night and this morning. -Much damage is reported in the Inangahua Valley. The railway line to Inangahua Jiincition is twisted and raised in places. All chimneys arc levelled.

At Inangahua Junction bridge two cylinders were cracked and the running hoards were wrenched off, dying face downwards. The road at Dee Hill is reported to have slipped away. There was a slip at the hill at Rock lands an Walker’s house suffered.

NELSON REPORT

NELSON, Juno 18

Earthquake tremors continued during last night and this morning, though the shocks are not of very great severity. 'The community lias had a most trying experience. Aii examination ’of some of the business promises which suffered most severely, show extensive repairs will lr necessary. Communication beyond Owen Junction is still blocked and it i: likely to be some time before, it is renewed.

ONLY MILD AT AUCKLAND

AUCKLAND, June 17

The earthquake was only very mild in Auckland at 10.20 this morning. M* John Kindcrline’s private seisnvigrapl showed that the direction was fror north-east to sout.i west. The people on the upper noors of city building* were almost the only ones to notie< the earthquake, which they said lastec about two minutes.

IN POVERTY BAY. GISBORNE, June 17. Several mild earth tremors were fob in Gisborne this morning. The first was experienced at 10.20 o’clock, followed by other and lighter ones, continuing for the following four minutes i ne tremors appeared to be from east to west. WIRELESS- OPERATORS SENT TO WESTPORT BY AIR- • CHRISTCHURCH, June 18. The Chief Postmaster at Christ church this morning despatched twe operators, with wireless experience, ii Moth aeroplanes to Westport. Th planes also carried a letter mail They will attempt a landing on the beach, and if the ships have remained at Westport, the operators will wort from them. TO VIEW BY AIR. BLENHEIM, June 18. One of Marlborough Aero Club’ Moths has been chartered by Newman* Bros, motor and mail service proprie tors, to make a survey of -Westport district, and is leaving Blenheim thi* afternoon 1 for Westport, via Nelson where Captain Chandler will pick uj Mr Jack Newman, who will aecompanj him as a passenger for the remaindei of the journey. FELT IN CANADA. (Received this day at 9.25 n.m.) OTTAWA, June 17. The severe earthquake believed t/ have been’ in New Zealand was registered at the Dominion Observatory a I fi.f) on Sunday evening. The distance was 8100 miles and the time at the local epicentre would bo June 17tli at 10 a.m. THE MURCHISON KILLED. THE BLOCKED RIVER. NELSON, June 18. Tt is understood that the person 1 killecT at Murchison are C. Morel and Mrs Bush, her son and daughter. It is stated the hill-side which came down and enveloped them was nearly half a mile away from the house. If is not a steep hill. but from the meagre reports available appeals to have slid down across the valley over half a mile wide, blocking the Matakitaki over four miles above Murchison. Mr B. E. Spiers who came through to Glenhope to give a warning of the blocked rivers took nine hours to do the thirty miles.

CAR NOT REPORTED. SEARCH BEING MADE BY AIR, NELSON, June 18. One of Newmans Bros.,’ service cars which would have been in the vicinity of Lvell at the time of the earthquake on its journey from West Coast to Nelson, has not been reported since the occurrence, and Newman Bros, have engaged an aeroplane from Marlborough to search tin* district. The plane is expected to reach Nelson early this afternoon, pick up Jack Newman and proceed to the stricken area. Mr Newman hopes in this way also to gain information concerning the conditions of the roads. Captain Chandler is in charge ol the plane. There are five passengers in the service car. Arrangements arc being made to bring fifty or sixty homeless Murchison residents to Nelson. Tt will lie a difficult matter owing to the state of the road. STRATFORD REPORT. •STRATFORD, June 18. Yesterday’s earthquake was more severe than is usually the case. Oa other occasions when a severe shock was experienced elsewhere Stratford had only a slight shock. Though prolonged and severe, yesterday’s shock had no hump or jerk and therefore the damage was of a very, minor nature.

A MINER KILLED

’QUAKES STILL CONTINUE

WELLINGTON, June 18,

'The Acting Secretary-General of the Post Office states the Chief Postmaster at Nelson reports there are numerous line interruptions between Glenhope and Murchison and that a line gang left Nelson early this morning to deal with the matter. Anticipating numerous press reports being lodged at Glenhope office, arrangements have been made to provide extra staff and apparatus there to meet the expected pressure of telegraph business. The Chief Postmaster at Westport reports that communication was estabislied with Grniiity, Millerton and Denniston.

William Chamlev was killed in Cardiff mine, Seddonville, and three miners were injured at Denniston.

At Westport, the Borough Council convened a public meeting resulting in the formation of a Builders’ Committee who have undertaken voluntarily to effect temporary repairs to business premises and dwellings in order to ensure they are water tight. Citizens are also grouping themselves for the purpose of mutual assistance, and government assistance is being asked for.

Public Works officers blasted a dangerous portion of the post office frontage.

Earthquakes still continue at frequent intervals but are of a less severe nature.

There are numerous slips in the Bill'd- Gorge and there were many miraculous escapes. A line party has been out all night endeavouring to establish communication.

\EROPLANE LEAVES BLENHEIM

FOR, WESTPORT.

BLENHEIM, June 18

Moth Z.lv.-A.A.J. left for Westport via Nelson at 1.35 p.m. Mb’ Jack Newman is to lie picked up at Tahunamii Beach. Nelson.