STILL BLEAK

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 67, Issue 219, 28 June 1947, Page 4

STILL BLEAK

SNOW ON BACK COUNTRY ROADS HINDS RIVER IN FLOOD Although there was no indication of an immediate improvement, conditions in Ashburton and the County to-day were less stormy than yesterday, but were nonetheless bleak and wintry. Reports from country areas stated that drizzle fell during the night. Showers fell in Ashburton, 52 points being recorded for the 24 hours preceding 9.30 this morning. The sky remained threatening to-day, and showers fell intermittently. There was a difference of only four degrees in the maximum and minimum temperatures yesterday which were 39.5 and 34.5 degrees respectively. The barometer registered 29.97 inches. Drizzle fell steadily at Methven during the night and continued this morning. Up to 9.30 to day 20 points of rain had been recorded at “Rudstone,” residence of Mr J. Carr. The temperature to-day was 35 degrees. Snow fell intermittently yesterday and was still lying on the ground. From Anama it was reported that after a very cold, bright night, drizzle fell to-day. For the 24 hours preceding 9.30 to-day, 28 points were recorded. Heavy rain was falling at Lagmhor this morning. The Hinds River was reported today to be in flood, the Mayfield mailman being unable to cross yesterday or to-day. No reports of flooding in the Ashburton River had been received this morning. The County Engineer (Mr R. L. Lindsay) said that until the snow on the hills melted, no flooding would be expected. Drifts of Snow Feet Deep Snow on the roads was encountered yesterday from Mount Somers up into the Ashburton Gorge, increasing to a depth of seven or eight inches at “Barossa” Station, where it was reported this morning that sleet was falling. Along the Lake Heron Road, snow Avae about 17 inches deep at Clent Hills Station. Drifts of up to two feet six inches were across the road to Lake Heron. There were 16 or 17 inches of snow from Hakatere to Mount Potts Station. The road from Mount Somers to Hakatere was to-day passable for all trafflcc. The snow plough set out from Mayfield this morning, and it was expected that the road from Hakatere to Mount Potts and from Clent Hills to Lake Heron would be cleared by tomorrow morning. The County Council’s grader yesterday cleared from Mount Somers to Clent Hills, and it was expected to have the portion between Hakatere and Mount Potts passable by this afternoon. Lorries and motor-cars became bogged near the Ashburton Gorge and in some cases had to be pulled clear Avith a tractor. There Avas one foot of snow in the area. IMPROVEMENT EXPECTED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The Government Meteorologist, < at noon to-day, issued the following statement regarding the weather: General situation: An intense anticyclone is centred south of New Zealand and a deep depression, north-east of the North Island, is now moving away. The forecast for the east coast of the South Island from Blenheim to Oamaru to 5 p.m. to-morroAV is as follows: — Moderate to fresh, but decreasing, south-westerly winds; weather cloudy, cold and showery, but conditions improving slowly from the south tomorrow. Further outlook: Becoming fair. SUN AND MOON Sun rose to-day, 8.6 a.m.; sets, 5.4 p.m. Sun rises to-morroAV B.G a.m., sets, 5.5 p.m. t Full Moon, July 3, 10.38 p.m. Last Quarter, July 11, 10.54 p.m. New Moon, July 18. 4.15 p.m. First Quarter, July 25, 10.54 a.m.