WELL SATURATED

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 42, 18 August 1941, Page 9

WELL SATURATED

TftE CANTERBURY

PLAINS

RIVERS RUNNING BANK HIGH

(PA.) CHRISTCHURCH, August 17.

Th& storms which have been sweeping the Canterbury plains since Wednesday morning reached their greatest force on Saturday night, when rain, hail, and snow, with extremely cold temperatures and a strong south-west wind, caused some losses in early lambing "and saturated the ground to such an extent that sowings of spring wheat will be delayed in most parts for at least a month.

Most of the Canterbury rivers, are running up to, or over, their banks, and, as indications point to more rain, there is danger of flooding, especially when the snow on the high country starts to thaw.

With the exception of Arthur's Pass and the inland route to Kaikoura, all the main roads are open.

In the lower parts of the city, gardens and streets were covered with water, but it did not enter any houses. At Lyttelton a slip carried a shed on to the roof of a house, but the damage was slight.

The weather cleared up in the city today. Reports from the country were that, though the rain had stopped, the outlook was threatening.

Snow in tfie Ashburton County ranged from a sprinkle on the coast to six inches at Alford Forest and eight at Methven up to noon yesterday, after which the weather improved, though it was threatening. No abnormal loss in early lambs is expected. Slight damage was done to telegraph and power lines.