BULLER GORGE

Hokitika Guardian, 7 March 1930, Page 5

BULLER GORGE

BRIDGE DESTROYED

The. Buller Gorge has become impassable for vehicular and other traffic, and will reamain so for probably the remainder of the present week. News to this effect was received lasi night by the Greymouth office of tin Public Works Department. The impediment is due to the destruction yesterday of the bridge over Chinaman Creek, a short distance on the Reefton side of Tioroa. The spot is that known as the Fern Arch, where there has hitherto been an overhanging rockin which a large crack had existed, evidently since the earthquake. It was decided that the overhanging part should he removed, and for this puroose a small blasting charge was put : nto it, but such was the insecurity of the rock that the explosion brought down a much larger quantity of material than was to have been expected. When the charge exploded, its force was so great that the bridge was covered and destroyed. A temporary structure will at once be erected, but this work is expected to ooccupv a couple or three days, during which tlie creek will not be crossable. The bridge below was carried eomnletely away. This left the creek impassable for vehicles, but last evening it was found possible to convey passengers and luggage across, and the cars will therefore continue to run Men were last evening set to workon the construction of a new bridge, which it is hoped to complete by Sunday. Meantime cars cannot pass along the road.