SEVERE WEATHER

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 251, 20 July 1931, Page 11

SEVERE WEATHER

Snow in the South SOUTHLAND COVERED Gale in Wairarapa Cold weather, with snow in Hie south, and wintry conditions over a wide area was experienced during tlie week-end. Southland, in par- • ticular, has been affected, the country being covered by a heavy fall snow. Wairarapa on Saturday night was again visited by a destructive gale. , By Telegraph—Press Association. Invercargill, July 19. The term “In Winter’s Grip” can aptly be applied to Southland at present, practically the entire province being under snow. Invercargill itself is covered to a depth of about three inches, more than has fallen for some years, while Otautau, Queenstown, Nightcaps, Lumsden and other country centres all have about five to six inches of snow. Stormy conditions, with electrical disturbances, have prevailed since last Wednesday, tending each day to become worse. Yesterday morning the wind reached almost cyclonic force, and was accompanied by driving rain. All outdoor fixtures were consequently postponed. Hail and sleet followed, and last night it began to snow, continuing at intervals throughout to-day. The weather 'showed no signs of clearing early this evening. •

HAVOC BY GALE Damage to Wairarapa TREES BLOWN DOWN .Dominion Special Service. Masterton, June 19A repetition of Friday's gales was experienced in the Wairarapa last night and to-day. and further minor damage is reported from all parts of the district. A plate-glass window in the premises of Vivian Josephs, ladies’ outfitters, in Queen Street, Masterton. was blown in last night. A window in the Masterton Post Office was {flown off its hinges, and fell about 15 feet on to the footpath. At Eketohuna the steeple of the Methodist Church, which was slightly displaced bv a storm last year, was put further out of alignment. A resident of Parkville. in the Eketahuna district, saw the roof of his washhouse carried 'ont into the street by the wind.. Trees in all parts of the district have been uprooted. A fine plantation of nines, which provides shelter for the main Wel-lington-Masterton highway at Taratahi, has suffered severely. Featherston, Martinborough, Grey-

town. Eketahuna, and Pahiatua, in common with Masterton, report fences down, gates blown off their hinges, and gardens wrecked. , ~, , , Snow fell at Pahiatua and Eketahuna to-day, and Grey town also reports a small fall. , GREYMOUTH HIT Coursing Field Mishap JUDGE’S BOX CAPSIZED Bv Telegraph—Press Association. Greymouth, July 19. A southerly gale made a very boisterous week-end. The electrical supply was interrupted on Saturday for an hour. An accident occurred at Wingham Park, where a coursing meeting had to be postponed. Mr. James Braithwaite,' the judge, was in the judge's stand, when

the wind overturned it, narrowly missing bystanders and ' dislocating Mr. Braithwaite’s shoulder. Several large trees at Greymouth were levelled, causing damage. Intense cold was accompanied by a sprinkling of snow. WIND, RAIN, SNOW Storm at Christchurch By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, July 19. Late on Saturday afternoon a nor’wester gave place to a south-wester with heavy rain which fell till midnight. Snow fell on the higher levels, the Port Hills

being, well peppered. This morning there was a hard frost following the rain, and to-day was cold and threatening. The wind increased almost to gale force, and in the afternoon driving showers of hail, mixed with snow, were experienced, whitening the road. Indications ark-for a stormy night. No Sports in Dunedin . By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, July 18. Heavy rain and snow showers caused all outdoor sports with the exception of the representative hockey game Otago seniors v. South Canterbury to be abandoned to-day.