SNOW IN FAR NORTH

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 260, 1 August 1939, Page 10

SNOW IN FAR NORTH

Fall At Cape Maria Van

Diemen

FIRST EVER RECORDED By Telegraph—Press Association. AUCKLAND. July 31. Without parallel in the memory of the oldest settlers, or even in the mythology of their Maori predecessors, a fairly heavy fall of snow was experienced at Cape Maria Van Diemen this afternoon. The most northerly point in New Zealand, the cape usually enjoys a subtropical winter climate, but for a few hours today there was presented the unique spectacle of a ridge covered lor about a mile by an appreciable depth of snow. There was no genera l fall, ami the flakes descended over a sharp-ly-defined patch of ground. The fall lasted for about half an hour. Though the snow was confined to oikarea, every centre in the far north reported unusually cold weather. SOUTHERN HAWKE’S BAY ROADS DIFFICULT Fifth Snowfall Within A' Month Dominion Special Service. DANNEVIRKE, July 31. A clear moonlight night on Sunday gave promise of a change in the weather in Southern Hawke’s Bay, but after light early-morning rain snow set in, making the fifth fall in the district within a month. The heaviest fall for many years was experienced, an average of three to four inches falling in Dannevirke. Temperatures remain very cold, and this etenitig footpaths which were not able to be cleared during the day by council employees were almost ankle-deep in slush.

Norsewood, Ormondville, Matamau, Tataramoa and Makotukn had heavier falls than Dannevirke, the snow lying up to eight inches in many parts. Road transport round Norsewood was difficult, many cars and lorries being held *Ou the Napier-Palmerston North highway there was snow in the vicinity of Norsewood and Takapan tonight. Motorists are warned to take particular cure on this section in the mornings and late afternoons because of the danger from ice and frosts. Mangahel and the Waitahora Valley were liberally coated' by up to five inches of snow. It is reported that lambing on some stations began as far back as July 17, and both ewes and lambs are having a trying time. No severe mortality among ewes has been reported. Cattle in low condition because of the autumn drought are faring badly, and losses in this class, of, sto<;k have been noticed. Dairy-’ farmers, specially those with herds now calving, are becoming anxious. WANGANUI-RAETIHI ROAD CLOSED Snow In Manawatu And Rangitikei Areas Dominion Special Service PALMERSTON N-, July 31. The seventh snowfall during the present month occurred on the higher levels of the Manawatu and Rangitikei areas this morning, and with a keen southeast wind conditions were extremely bleak and cold. Falls of up to a foot are reported from the higher country, the snow reaching down to the 690-foot level. A particularly heavy fall occurred in the Apiti district. About seven inches fell in Apiti township, and at Table Flat and on the mountain block the fall wars fully a foot. Road conditions between Apiti and Kimbolton have become very difficult, and only heavy cars were able to get through this morning. Cars this afternoon took three hours to travel from Apiti to Kimbolton, a journey which usually occupies about 50 minutes. The fall in the Manawatu Gorge and the Woodville district was also heavy, and the whole countryside was covered. No snow fell in Palmerston North, where, following heavy rain during the night, frost of'six and . a half degrees was registered this morning. The Automobile Association (Manawatu) advised that till further notice the Wauganui-Raetihi main highway is closed to traffic because of the icy and slippery state of the surface. Similar conditions prevail north of Taihape. The Chateau Road is reported to be clear. WANGANUI DISTRICT UNDER SNOW Heaviest Fall For Years Dominion Special Service WANGANUI, July 31. The heaviest fail of snow in the Wanganui district in years was experienced early today. Wanganui East and St. John’s Hill had the biggest fall, but all other parts were also affected. Durie Hill residents are visited by frosts on only rare occasions, and’ hardly ever by snow. Though it lay thickly on the ground for a time heavy rain later dispersed it. Waverley is one of the few places in the district where snow is unique, but even it did not escape this morning. Rain and wind melted it almost immediately.

Following most unpleasant condi tions during tlie weekend, heavy enow began to fall in Taihape today. In Bulls the fall was tlie heaviest for a long time. Snow began to fall at day break and continued till about 9 o’clock. After it had stopped wind ami rain soon drove the last traces of it away except in the deepest hollows.

Marton also had an exceptional amount, residents of the town expressing the opinion that it was more than 38 years since such a fall was experienced in the town. The borough streets were covered with nearly two inches, with drifts a foot deep, up to 9 o’clock, when a thaw set in, followed by a cold drizzle. Snow falling on high land within five miles of Martou had reached a depth of more than six inches, whicli is a record.

SHIPPING DELAYED

Gales And Mountainous Seas By Telegraph—Press Association. AUCKLAND, July 31. Ships reaching Auckland from overseas are continuing to report very rougli conditions in the Pacific. The Shaw, Savill and Albion steamer Maimoa, which arrived from Liverpool this morning, experienced exceptionally severe weather. Wind was at times of whole gale force, seas being mountainous. She was delayed several days in reaching port. Similar weather was encountered by the Port Lino steamer Port Hunter, which anchored off Rangitoto tonight on her arrival from London. The North German Lloyd steamer Erlangen, five days behind in her schedule, will arrive tomorrow afternoon from New Orleans. TOLL OF LAMBS Worst Conditions For Many Years Dominion Special Service. AUCKLAND, July 31.

With the commencement of the lambing season a prolonged spell of tine weather is the hope of every sheepfarmer in the Auckland province. Driving rain, sleet and snow in areas where they had rarely been known in such intensity before, took fairly heavy toll of first lambs in some districts, and, in an endeavour to prevent heavy mortality a number of farmers took the unusual precaution of transferring early lambing ewes either to the roofed yards of sheds or to small tree-en-closed paddocks. Lambs born last week fought for survival in what several farmers described as the worst lambing conditions for many years. '

On the higher levels of the Waikato and the King Country no great activ ity is expected till toward the middle of August, but on open country ewes are now lambing fast. Several farmers near Hamilton stated that their flocks bad stood up remarkably well to conditions, and, not only were the ewes in excellent heart, but losses among ne\vly-born lambs had been surprisingly small in view of the fierce gales. ROUGH NIGHT IN THE WAIRARAPA By Telegraph—Prespa Association. MASTERTON, July 31. Masterton experienced a rough night with a thunderstorm, hail, snow, and rain. Snow fell to a depth of about three inches in the town and deeper in tlie country. Rain later melted most of the snow. TARARUA~FOOTHILLS AGAIN COVERED Dominion Special Service LEVIN, July 31. The foothills of tlie Tararua ranges behind tlie Levin district were again covered with snow this morning. Late last evening frost settled on tlie flat, but this and the snow which fell in the small hours of tlie morning melted with heavy falls of rain before daylight. Very cold teiniieratures prevail today. SLIPS IN TAITA GORGE Road Open For One-Way Traffic The Taita Gorge road just north of Stokes Valley was blocked on Sunday night and again yesterday afternoon by slips. Late yesterday afternoon a bulldozer cleared sufficient materia; away to allow one-way traffic to use the road Tlie slip on Sunday night came down about 10 p.m., and men cleared it early yesterday morning. A further slip came down shortly after 2 p.m., and the road was blocked for abotii two hours. By 4 p.m. another track had been cleared, and it was expected that the road would be open for one-way traffle unless further heavy rain fell.