Dunedin revels in snow

Press, 22 June 1989, Page 7

Dunedin revels in snow

PA Dunedin The mood of Dunedin City yesterday was more like tjie first day of spring than the shortest day of the year, as residents made the most of the heaviest snowfall in many years. Thousands of school pupils enjoyed an impromptu holiday, while commuters who usually rely on public transport joined each other for the walk to work. The “Otago Daily Times” received many telephone calls from people eager to share the spectacle of their various snow creations. They included snow frogs, snow seals and the traditional snowman. “Typically Dunedin” was how the

Otago Old People’s Welfare Council’s secretary/manager, Mr Dave Henry, described the response to a call for assistance in the council’s meals-on-wheels service. He said 19 drivers were stranded at home by the snow. Within 30 minutes of a radio message at 8.45 a.m., 19 relief drivers with four-wheel-drive vehicles had volunteered their services. “I’m overwhelmed with the generosity of these people,” he said, adding that all of the service’s 180 clients received their midday meals on time. In a further display of human kindness a group of people travelling from Auckland to Milton,

whose cars were stranded in the city, were accommodated free in the Quality Inn house bar. The acting general manager, Sue Brookes, said the hotel was full, but the group of 12 slept in the bar with hotel pillows and blankets. The Otago branch president of the New Zealand Retail Merchants’ Association, Mr Ron Esplin, said yesterday he was “absolutely astounded” by the effort Dunedin residents had made to get to work. He did not know of any central city retail outlet closing for the day. “It (the snow) brings everyone together. Everyone is very cheerful. It’s a great tonic. I think Auckland should have some,” he said.