A HUGE LAND SLIDE.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 123, 25 May 1916, Page 6

A HUGE LAND SLIDE.

EARTH FILLS RIVER CHANNEL. | t At Raetihi a laud-slide, remarkable I for its extent and attendant features, I occurred near Ore Ore during the early hours of Saturday morning. The scene is about a mile below Ore Ore post-office, at a point where the Para- ! para Road negotiated a steep bluff overlooking the Mangawhero stream. I An extensive, if very gradual, move- ! ment of the hillside has been known for some time past, but, even so, the j extent of the slip and the effects produced have excited mingled wonder-"' ment and consternation among those ] who are concerned with Parapara

Road as a highway. The roughly estimated area of the slip is about seven acres, the whole hillside from about a chain from the top having parted, while about ten chains of road are completely obliterated. Below the ( road was standing timber, and the still perpendicular position of many of the large trees now in the river channel is a remarkable feature of the subsidence. The immense body of subsided earth and timber backed up the water for a considerable distance effacing numerous rapids, and forming what might be deemed a respectable boating course. At one point an overflow formed a lake several acres in extent, while at the dam there would be fully 50 feet of water before the weight of water began to scour an adequate outlet! The Parapara road has been very unfortunate throughout Its lengthy period of construction. Last year extensive damage was caused by floods destroying new formations and retarding the long-looked-for opening of the road as a through thoroughfare from Raetihi to Wanganui That misfortune pales into insignificance before the latest catastrophe, not only because it far surpasses the largest “slip” known here, but also for the indefinite nature of the pheno-

menon. It IS lUiiy expectcu lhuoc able to judge, that another extensive movement is imminent, and, therefore, permanent reconstruction of the road will be out of the question for a considerable time, unless recourse is had to an expensive deviation of the route. Meanwhile the settlers below the slide are completely isolated from vehicular communication, the Okura bridge, lower down, being uncompleted. Material for this structure is awaiting conveyance from Ore Ore, and its removal to the site involves a problem to be overcome.