NO EXPRESS TO-DAY

Hokitika Guardian, 16 January 1930, Page 3

NO EXPRESS TO-DAY

WASHOUT ON LINE.

(Argus.)

That the Midland Railway is destined never to be free from stoppages was once again demonstrated yesterday when the heavy rain prevailing on the East Coast cut off rail communication between Canterbury and the, West Coast. The seat of the trouble on this occasion is in the vicinity of Staircase, a station 54 miles from Christchurch. Here the country is decidedly precipitous, and a viaduct which crosses Broken River, bridges a drop of several hundred feet. At this point two slips and a washout have occurred, which will necessitate a delay until to-morrow at least., before the train services resume their usual timetables.

No definite time has been received by the local railway authorities as to the exact hour of tlie washouts, but it is believed that the stoppages occurred before 11 o’clock yesterday morning. Goods trains running between Christchurch and Greymouth had to be cancelled, but on this side goods were conveyed to Otira, and on the East Coast to Springfield to cause the least possible delay when the service is again in working order. The aspect of the mishap that will cause most concern to the travelling public is that the express will not he able to leave Greymouth this morning, or arrive from Christchurch this afternoon. Many racing enthusiasts had. signified their intention of leaving thi« morning to arrive in Wellington for the tVelliiigton Racing Club’s Meeting.

A relief gang was dispatched from Christchurch yesterday to repair the i damage, and it is understood that if the lines can be cleared an expreswill be run to-morrow.

The slips, thus far, have been mor« frequent on this side of Broken Rivet in closer .proximity to the ranges. It is a noteworthy fact, that whereas for the past few weeks the West Coast generally has experienced unseasonable weather, the East Coast has had a long spell of fine weather. Now the meteorological conditions have changed, and locally . there has been a welcome appearance of the sun, while in Canterbury the topic of the moment is the floods that are swamping farms and roads.