SLIP AT KAMAKA

Hokitika Guardian, 16 January 1931, Page 6

SLIP AT KAMAKA

ON ROAD AND RAILWAY

TRAFFIC BLOCKED

(Grey Argus.)

Shortly alter 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon a big slip occurred at a point -about one mile from Kamaka and three miles from Stillwater, completely covering both the road and railway line in the locality for a distance of about a chain and to a depth of from seven to ten feet in places. ® The slip on the hillsides is no doubt duo to the heavy rains during the 24 hours preceding its occurrence, there having been a noticeably heavy shower just before the slip. The rain appears to have boon exceptionally heavy in the vicinity lor about a mile on each side of the slip, as the water was overflowing the road on this particular stretch to a great extent and much more noticeably so than on other parts of the road from Greymouth and Eeefton.

The slip, which is situated between Kamaka and Red Jacks, brought down chiefly bush and trees and earth.

Passengers to and from Rod ton yesterday afternoon on the trains were transhipped at the slip, having to walk over the obstruction, which is -about- seven feet high on the railway line and a' chain in length.

" A~“Targe' grillg of l'netl were put on to clear the railway track early last evening, and it is hoped to have the line cleared to allow -the trains to pass this morning.

The material to be removed is composed of mullock and trees. The down Rcofton train passengers got into Grcymoutli about an hour late last evening, arriving at 7.31 instead of the scheduled time 0.24- p.m.

A visit of inspection of the scene of the slip was yesterday afternoon -mule by the Grey Coiintv Engineer. (Mr J. Higgins), who states that the main highway will not be cleared before to-morrow night, or Sunday morning, as there is anything from (fight to ten feet of trees and sl'isliv mullock on the road to bo removed. A gang of men co.mmenced clearing the /dip-, on the road yesterday afternoon, and they worked until 8.30 P.m.. when a. stop had to be made owing to the darkness. A fresh stat£ will lie mado ea'rlv this morning.

A large number of cars were held up yesterday on both sides of the slip, due to the fact that they did not know the road was blocked. The motorist’s onlv alternative at the present time is either to rail their cars or ‘ravel by the Grcymoutli-AYcstpoi't road.