Damage in north light

Press, 5 July 1977, Page 3

Damage in north light

North Canterbury escaped; serious flooding and damage) during the storm on Sunday) and yesterday. ----- - —— ;

I No stock losses had been 'reported to the Ministry of ■ Agriculture in Rangiora late (yesterday afternoon and all consumers now have elec-

Wind gusted up to 50 knots on Sunday evening, but apart from a few fences blowing over there was little damage.

The only casualties of the storm were the Mount Grey microwave station near Rangiora that relays the national television link, and the temporary bridge over the Cust River on State Highway 72. The two television stajtions lost the national link early Sunday evening when power to the repeater failed. However, Broadcasting .Council staff were able to ! walk to the micro wave sta(tion and start the diesel 'engine to run the station. The trek up the access road took two hours.

Picture quality would not be very good but engineers 'remained at the station last evening to ensure the link (remained working. However, snow down to 100 metres on Mount Grey had hindered attempts by 1 North Canterbury Electric Power Board staff to restore power to the micro wave station.

The general manager (Mr D. W. Harris) said that power had been restored to the Ashley Forest look-out, but a broken wire just before the cable went underground to the station could | not be reached by the 'powerboard staff. (

It is hoped that power will be restored today. The temporary bridge over the Cust River lost its approaches about. 10.30. a.m. yesterday because of the flooded ’ river. Rangiora ) County Council staff worked all day and the highway was opened by about 3.30 p.m. Traffic was directed to a detour.

Snow fell to low levels throughout North Canterbury, about 15 cm of snow in Lees Valley hindering attempts by power board staff to repair a cracked conductor. However, most residents in the valley had

power. I Surface flooding in the! Pines-Kairaki Beach and Waikuku Beach areas caused little trouble. Farmers had no serious problems feeding stock although there was some surface flooding. The annual Culverden bull sale which was to have been held yesterday was postponed until Friday. The usual winter shearing has begun along the coastal areas of North Canterbury. A Cheviot farmer who comipleted shearing last week reported that the sheep were standing up to the cold spell (providing they were in good (shelter. Some snow fell at Cheviot on Sunday night; yesterday the winds were very strong, but there had not' been a lot of rain.

Most winter shearing is being done by machine, but I some flocks are still shorn (with blades.