DAMAGE AT REEFTON

Press, Volume C, Issue 29555, 3 July 1961, Page 12

DAMAGE AT REEFTON

Buildings Collapse (from Ou, Own Reporter) REEFTON, July 2. Residents of Reefton were busy today assessing damage caused by the heavy snowfaU. A number of sheds, old buildings, and verandas have collapsed and plumbers will be in demand for some time renewing spouting, which is hanging fro.n many houses. There has been no appreciable thraw. and roofs are laden with from 4in to 6in thickness of snow. A frost last night and another tonight have made conditions worse. Men shovelling snow off roofs were a common sigh’ today, and photgraphers used a lot of film Farmers are forced to feed out to stock, and a number were unprepared for such a severe fall. Roads are treacherous with only two “tracks” to drive on. Chains are essential The Lewis Pass route and Reefton saddle were open for traffic today, although careful driving is necessary Graders have worked all dav today at Rahu and Ix-wis Pass A’ 7 30 pm., * Ministry of Works overseer was about to leave to clear the rood 20 miles from Reefton towards Rahu where a tree had fallen across the road The repair of damaged telephone and power lines was completed yesterday. but much other repair work has yet to be done.