FUN FOR BOYS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 181, 1 August 1936, Page 10

FUN FOR BOYS.

SNOWBALL FIGHTS.

STREET SWEEPERS BUSY. LITTLE DAMAGE REPORTED. (I3y Telegraph.—Spccial to "Star.") CHRIKTCHTJRCH, this day. Christclitivch woke this morning to find a mantle of snow 21 inches deep lying 1 on the ground, with heavy flakes still falling and the weather still in the threatening sou'-west quarter. Soon all open grassy spaces were thronged by small boys squealing with delight as they sent the snowballs flying to thenmarks or grunting with dismayed surprise as they served as targets for a chilly missile from an unexpected quarter.

After nearly a fortnight of dull, miserable, rainy weather there was a slight frost, followed by watery sunshine, yesterday morning, but by noon the temperature had dropped and the evening weather forecasts—"cold southwest wind, sleet and snow"—were fulfilled by 4 p.m.

Throughout last night a strong wind brought bitter cold and intermittent falls of snow, so that as early as nine o'clock there was a coating oil the streets and roofs.

Train services were able to carry on as usual, and there have been few reports of damage. Last evening electric lights flickered once or twice, but there was no break in the service. The lack of damage* is gratifying when the result is remembered of a similar though more intense storm which played such havoc last year.

The snow did not hold up the air mail services, though one 'plane was delayed by a puncture. In Christchurch itself the tram service was somewhat disorganised until 11 o'clock, when the time-table was restored. Owing to the amount of snow on the lines snow ploughs and shovels were early in use to clear the lines on the Cashmere Hills, where the fall was the heaviest. Gangs of men were soon at work clearing city footpaths.

In some parts of the high country tlio fall was heavy, but there was only half an inch at the Arthur's Pass township, and the West Coast Road remained open. Lambing is not far enough advanced for any danger of considerable losses. The storm's main handicap to agriculturists is that it further holds up spring sowing, already delayed by a long spell of wet weather.

The representative Rugby match between Canterbury and Auckland had to be postponed, as Lancaster Park was well nigh unplayable. There could have been little chance of anything but a mud scramble, and the risk of damage to the ground was great.

The snow ceased soon after 10 a.m., but the sky still looked threatening at noon.