Heavy Fall of Earth.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 8, Issue 27, 2 April 1907, Page 5

Heavy Fall of Earth.

THE SUMNER ROAD BLOCKED. Christchurch, March 30. The cliffs on the Sumner Road have been a source of anxiety to the authorities and the I public since the road was first opened. Periodically there have been falls of rock of a more or less serious nature. The heavy rains of the past few days, with rather severe changes in temperature, have apparently hastened the breaking away of the cliffs, and last evening an enormous mass of earth came down without warning. The slip occurred just between Shag Rock and what is known as Middle Rock. According to the estimate of the Sumner engineer, between 3000 and 5000 tons of stuff came down. The fall occurred just before the 7 o’clock tram from Christchurch reached the Shag Rock. The tram was within a chain or two of the rock when the enormous mass came thundering on to the road. Fortunately no one was near, but Mr O’Donnell's son and daughter, who were on the road, saw the fall. The debris buried the roadway perhaps for a couple of chains, in places to a depth of from 15 to 20 feet. It smashed the water mains which supply the Borough of Sumner, and carried away the overhead gear of the electric tramway, and played havoc with the permanent way. A weighty rock lies on the outer side of the road, and the fall has torn up the rails and sleepers. The lines are bent and broken, and the permanent way will have to be reconstructed.