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View of the Manawatū Gorge

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Image

Description: Reverse reads:

This view is taken from the road opposite the first tunnel, on the right is seen the Palmerston-Napier road. The broken water is the first, and most dangerous rapid in the Gorge, on this side of which is seen, steps, wire-rope and cage for crossing to the east end of the long tunnel; above the rapid, by use of a reading glass, another wire-rope can be seen near the west end of second tunnel. From river-bed above second rope, to about one inch down from the lend hand top corner of the view, is seen portions of the 'big slip' and where it slipped from, this the second slip here, the first cost £ 2000 to remove and this would cost about £ 6000 so the tunnel was deviated and lengthened about 9 chains, above this is seen a portion of an iron railway bridge, at east end of the tunnel, and which spans the Niagara Creek, and which requires no other explanation than its name. The Manawatu River rises about 54 ft, and the road and railway is about 20ft. above flood level.

R McGonagle 1888