SNOW AND GALES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 304, 26 December 1933, Page 5

SNOW AND GALES.

ASHBURTON SUFFERS. POWER POLES BLOWN OVER. CAR'S REMARKABLE ESCAPE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) ASHBURTON, this day. With heavy snow in the back country, the mountains whilemantled, and gales that overthrew many power poles ami flattened hundreds of acres of crops, the Christmas week-end was one of the most memorable Ashburton has known. About 10 o'clock on Saturday night a north-west wind developed gale force, persisting Tor several hours. In the town there was a great loss of fruit and a levelling of fences. In the country, where the oats w_ere laid low, it is considered doubtful if much will stand up again. Many country people had a trying time dragging trees off the roads before their cars could proceed. A remarkable experience befel one party. A power pole fell on their car just in front of the windscreen, but the wires jerked it back sufficiently to allow the car to proceed. A lady occupant was cut on the chest and hands by glass from the windscreen. - A few chains further on another pole fell in front of the car, entangling the wires round the bonnet. The driver skilfully got the car free, but finally poles and trees across the road compelled the party to spend the night at a nearby farm.