LANDSLIDE IN GORGE

Taranaki Daily News, 16 November 1926, Page 9

LANDSLIDE IN GORGE

BLOCKADE OF THE RAILWAY SERIOUS POSITION ARISES. FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS FEARED Palmerston N., Nov. 13. There are indications of further eerious developments in connection with the blockage of the railway line in the Manawatu Gorge, and pending a report of experts to the department it is difficult to say just what measures will be taken to render this important route again safe for traffic. Quite early in the work of clearing the landslide it was discovered that there was an ominous crack running in a half circle some distance above tfie highest part of the slip, but now something more serious than this is claiming the earnest consideration of the engineers. It is a fissure whieh has recently appeared in the hillside between the first and second tunnels close to the scene of the slip which has blocked tne line for just upon three weeks. This crack indicates a subsidence the magnitude of which can only be guessed. It extends down the hill face across the line and below it. It is obvious that a large portion of the hillside has slipped toward the river, pernaps only «. few inches, but where ' it is going to stop is problematical. The huge concrete retaining wall below the line at the point of this new development has eracked under the pressure of this land “bulge,” and would appear to be menaced. Trouble has been experienced in the past with great slips, the result being that an extra tunnel (No. 2) was built to obviate 'further danger to the exposed line. There are rumours current that the line will not even be open by Christmas. The engineers are reticent, but one stated that it would be at least three weeks before the line would be safe for traffic. He addl'd that in the interim experts were considering a scheme to overcome the difficulties caused in the last few days by this new development. Mr. Burtenshaw, chief inspecting engineer of the department, was again on the scene of the slip to-day. Mr. Beesley, district engineer at Wanganui, was also on the spot to-day.