SOUTHERLY STORM

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 17, 20 July 1931, Page 10

SOUTHERLY STORM

SNOW, RAIN, AND WIND

SOUTH ISLAND SUFFERS

SEVEEE VISITATION

Press messages from the South 6how that very bad weather ivas experienced over the week-end. All outdoor fixtures had. to be postponed at Invercargill, and all except a representative hockey match at Dunedin.,/ Southland is under snow. Gales were general. The West Coast was not exempt, and at Greymouth the wind was so severe that the judge's box at a coursing meeting was overturned while the judge was inside. His shoulder was dislocated. The-term "In winter's grip" can aptly be applied to Southland at present, practically the entire province being under snow; says a Press Association telegram. Invcreargill itself is covered to a depth of about three inches, moro than has fallen for some years, while Otautau, Quocnstown, Nightcaps, Lumsdon, 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. On Saturday morning the wind reached almost cyclonic force, and was accompanied by driving rain. All outdoor fixtures wero consequently postponed. Hail and sleet followed, and on Saturday night it began to snow, continuing at intervals throughout yesterday. ■ BOISTEROUS WEEK-END. A southerly gale made a very boisterous week-end at Grcymouth. 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, tho 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. Greymouth awoke this morning to find itself snow-covered for the first time for twenty years, and in the grip of the heaviest fall of snow in the town in living memory. An old resident states that snow has fallen in the town only four times since 1870. Snow continued to fall this morning until 10 o'clock. Heavy rain and snow showers caused all outdoor sports, with the exception of the representative hockey game, Otago Seniors v. South Canterbury, to bo abandoned at Dunedin on Saturday. Late on Saturday afternoon a nor'wester at Christchureh 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. On Sunday morning there was a hard frost following the rain, and yesterday was cold and threatening. The wind increased almost to gale force, and in the' afternoon driving showers of hail, mixed with snow, were experienced, whitouing the road. This morning there was a hard frost at Christchurch, 30.1 degrees, a record, being experienced. Tho weather is now fine. HEAVY FALL OF SNOW. \ The heaviest fall of snow for over thirty years occurred this morning at Hokitika. -A covering of over two inches is lying in the town, and it is much heavier in the, country districts, from six to eight inches. ; - A Press Association telegram from Reef ton saya that snow fell to a dopth of three inches on Saturday night. Last night there was a further fall to a depth of twelve inches. AH outsido work is suspended, also all work at the coal-mines. This is tho third fall this month, and the" heaviest for twenty years. Westport experienced a fall of half an inch of snow 'this morning, the heaviest fall in memory. At Denniston the snow.is over a foot deep. WORST FOR THIRTY YEARS. Dunedin is experiencing the worst winter in thirty, years,. states a Press Association telegram received this afternoon. The third snowstorm of the season swept tho city and country yesterday and to-day. About two -inches lay on the ground this'morning over the frozen lower surface, and motorists were in constant difficulties, cars slewing and sliding at the slightest application of the brakes. The country districts have snowdrifts to the depth of 17ft,.and the main south road is impassable beyond Lovell's Flat. There are no railway hold-ups.