LOSS OF SHEEP.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume xxix, Issue 7543, 20 July 1908, Page 2

LOSS OF SHEEP.

The recent fall of snow is likely •to I be more serious than was at-first anticipated in the Mackenzie Country; where runholders are employing men at great expense to save as many sheep as possible, but it is stated that where hundreds were lost after the last snowstorm some few years back, the loss this time will run into thousands, -i ' .. " Anxiety is being felt concerning ( ihe quantities of snow piled on the Otago ranges. It is thought that should this come away in a mass the Taieri Plain will be subjected to a flood unparalleled in local history. The snow up-country is increasing in depth, and each day sees the snow-line creep lower' oh the hills. Snow-ploughing ' with coupled engines on the Otago.Cenjtral line was continued on Saturday, but it is doubtful if the line can be cleared, to" Oturehua by to-day. The snow in places is level with the funnel of the engines'. Several attempts were made in places to make impressions with a pick-axe, but the only impression made was on the pick, the point of the" implement being turned. .

The gale moderated at Lytteltbn during Saturday night, .and Sunday morning broke with a promise of a fine day. Heavy banks of clouds threatened rain, bUt the sun shone out at .intervals, and the day passed off without a shower.

Captain Edwin telegraphs as follows: Northerly strong winds to a gale after ten hours; the glass .will.'fall soon.