GAP IN RAILWAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 January 1922, Page 5

GAP IN RAILWAY.

BRIDGE CARRIED AWAY. ACCIDENT NEAR PATEA, TRAIN (SERVICE DISORGANISED. MOTOR CARS UTILISED. The railway service was considerably disorganised yesterday owing to a bridge over the Whenuakura river, two or three miles below Patea, having been partially carried away during the previous night by flood waters. There had been a considerable fall of rain during the night, but not sufficient to cause apprehension that any serious damage would occur. The first intimation that anything untoward had happened was discovered when the early goods train from Wanganui arrived on the scene about 7 o’clock yesterday morning. The line . curves on to the bridge, which is consequently in full view of the driver some chains before he reached it, and he was able to notice that some of the spans had gone and the sleepers and rails were merely hanging. Consequently the train was pulled .up in time to avoid disaster, and the prolonged blowing of the whistle soon gave warning that all was not well.

PLIGHT OF PASSENGERS. The bridge had been erected .originally about 35 years ago and was a fairly lengthy one, comprising two trusses and several beam spans, and was a good height above the water level. It had been renewed on various occasions; it is stated that it had just received, an overhaul, and it was the intention of the department to renew the bridge in concrete early this year, so as to permit of heavier engines -being run across it. The flood waters, and possibly heavy timber brought down, washed away a couple of piers, wrecking the two trusses which were 60 feet long. Passengers by the morning mail train had their first intimation of the accident when three cars were taken off at Hawera, and the mail proceeded on to Patea. Here the passengers were informed by the officials of a wash-out. The mail train could not proceed beyond Patea, but a train to complete the journey was waiting nt Waverley. Passengers were informed that motor cars were outside the station and they must make their own arrangements to cover the distance between Patea and Waverley. Checked luggage would be forwarded later. The taxi drivers charged the moderate amount of 5/, and one lorry made the trip for 4/-. Most of the passengers accepted the position philosophically, but some objected. holding * that ’ the Government should have borne the cost of the cars. In some cases of families returning home after a holiday, the extra charge proved rather inconvenient, but they were able to make the necessary financial There were pot enough vehicles to accommodate all the passengers and some cars made as many as three trips, but after over two hours’ delay the transhipment was effected. A train was also run back to Hawera with passengers from Wanganui, arriving over two hours late.

LOCALITY INACCESSIBLE. All trains had to transfer passengers in the same way. Last evening the mail was about an hour and a half late reaching Hawera with passfengers and mails, the parcels being left until later. There were not many passengers and one trip of the cars was able to make the transference, the fare charged, it is stated, being 7/6 per passenger. No time was lost on the run to New Plymouth, which was reached about 9.15 p.m., just over an hour late, so that 20 minutes was gained on the journey. The, district, engineer (Mr. C. T, Jeffreys) was in New Plymouth yesterday morning and was at tlnce advised of the accident, and he proceeded to the spot by car. It is not known yet how, dong it will take to restore traffic, but it is certain to be some time before a permanent bridge can be constructed. The scene of the mishap is one of the moet inconvenient for transhipment purposes, as it is at a point where the railway is a considerable distance from the road, where there is another bridge across the river. It is, however, probable that the Railway Department will take steps to at once provide some method whereby foot passengers can cross the river, and then the trains will be able to approach close to the river from either side, and it will be a simple matter to transfer passengers and luggage from one train to another. Meanwhile the Railway Department will run trains from the north as far as Patea and from the south as far as Waverley, and passengers will not be booked past either point, nor will goods be booked past either place. Passengers will have to make their own arrangements with the motors that will be in waiting at both Patea and Waverley to convey them between those points.

FUTURE ARRANGEMENT'S. To-day the train service from New Plymouth will run as usual to Hawera, but from that point onwards the only trains will be the morning mail and the train that leaves at 4.50 p.m. for Wanganui. The only trains to arrive in Hawera will be that from Wanganui at 11.35 a.m. and the mail in the evening. The latter is certain to be somewhat late on account of the delay in conveying passengers and mail between Waverley and Patea. The members of Williamson’s company, with two special cars and a wagon load of scenery, were on the early morning train from Hawera, en route to Wanganui, where they were to open last night. Arrangements were made to convey the scenery by motor wagon to Waverley, but it waa questionable if the company would get it through in time. lit is considered that the flood was due to the cloud burst that took place in the Mangamingi and Omoana districts, as both the Whenuakura and Patea rivers flow through that country. The Patea river was also in high flood.

TRANSPORT OF PASSENGERS. THE MINISTER APPROACHED. AWAITING A REPORT. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, Laat Night. Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., and other Taranaki members, interviewed the Minister for Railways thia evening re)Aa matter of traaaUjimoat

from Patea and Waverley, brought be- . fore them by wire from the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce. The Hon. D. H. Guthrie said that the district traffic manager and the district engineer were both on the spot of the accident, and | they had been asked to report upon the transhipm</it of passengers between, the two points. He expected to receive the report the following morning, end would then be pleaeed to submit and discuss it with the Taranaki members,

BRIDGING THE GAP.

RAILWAYS’ ACTION CONDEMNED. It was reported to yesterday’s meet* ing of the council of "the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce that the raiJway authorities were not making any arrangements for passengers to couneel with the mail between Patea anc Waverley, and vice versa, but leaving passengers to their own devises. Sty>ng exception was taken to thia disregard of the interests of the travelling pub« lie, the view being expressed that if was the duty of the railway authorß ties to make the necessary arrangements for the conveyance of through passengers between the two points, and it was decided to telegraph the Taranaki members of Parliament urging them to take up the matter with the authorities with a view to their undertaking the work and thereby doing their duty by the travelling public.