LANDSLIPS ON MAIN TRUNK.

Taihape Daily Times, 28 June 1918, Page 5

LANDSLIPS ON MAIN TRUNK.

AT MATAROA AND HUNTERVILLE. TWO TRAINS DERAILED. The heavy rain lately experienced was the cause of two slips on the Main Trunk line yesterday, one between Hunterville and Rata, and the other between Bennett's Siding and Mataroa. In both cases, trains —fortunately goods trains —were derailed, In consequence of running into them, luckily without any loss of life. At Mataroa the early goods train, which arrives in Taihape from Ohakune at 4.30 a.m., ran into a slip about four miles north of Taihape. The train consisted of 30 waggons. The engine is clean off the line, lying on its side on the south side of the slip, having cut its way through the obstruction and carried half the waggons across. Three loaded waggons, laden with coal are in a perpendicular position, and three others are lying right across the rails. The other waggons are twisted in various positions on the side of the track. A K waggon and van are telescoped. Included in the train were two horseboxes, with four racehorses —Moddite, Meltchikoff, Captain, Lock and Notability—with their attendants, in charge of E. Rae. The horses and men escaped unhurt. The slip occurred just round a bend in the line, and the train would be on to it almost as soon as the curve was tuFneG. How the driver, Mr. Jones, and fireman, Mr Johnson, escaped, is little short of a miracle. An injured hand was the only result of the capsize. A van and horses transferred the luggage, which was brought on~ to Taihape. The line is completely ripped lip "through the derailment. The Auckland mail train was held up, and a relief train was sent out from Taihape, and the passengers were transferred and brought on to Taihape. A gang of about 30 men were at .once sent out, and are engaged in clearing the line, making a deviation and relaying the track, and it is hoped to have the line cleared by to-morrow. 'A big' land slip occurred on the line between Silverhope and Hunterville, about 14 miles from Marten Junction, during last night, effectually blocking all traffic. It is not expected that passengers will get further 1 north than Morton. It will probably take two days to clear the line at this particular -spot. "■■' " \ '.'.'