ROADS OPEN AGAIN

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28897, 18 May 1959, Page 10

ROADS OPEN AGAIN

Main Routes All Clear Although Christchurch had one of its bleakest week-ends—the maximum temperature on Saturday and yesterday reached only 51.4 degrees—the province had its first real relief from disruptions to communications for some time. No report of road blockages in its district had been received by the Automobile Association (Canterbury) last evening. Although snow fell in highcountry areas, both the Arthur’s Pass—where a light fall was recorded—and the Lewis Pass routes to the West Coast jvere clear. Several inches of snow fell in the Porter's Pass region, and graders were working yesterday to clear the road but there were no interruptions to traffic. No reports of interruptions to rail traffic were received. Christchurch experienced at various periods yesterday spells of sunshine, rain, and hail, and the wind throughout the day averaged 15 knots. The maximum temperature of 43 degrees yesterday was the lowest throughout the present unsettled spell. Since the maximum of 60.2 degrees recorded last Tuesday, the highest daily recordings have ranged from 43 degrees to only 51.4 degrees recorded on Saturday. Although the minimum temperatures have been little more than frost level, the last frost, two degrees, was recorded on May 10. A total of .29 inches of rain were recorded in the city in the 24 hours to 9 a.m. yesterday, and from then to 6 p.m. last evening another .30 inches fell. Air traffic to and from the Christchurch airport maintained normal services throughout yesterday, although some -aircraft from northern centres arrived up to 15 minutes late because of strong head winds.