BIG SNOWSTORM

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 2, 2 July 1943, Page 3

BIG SNOWSTORM

DAMAGE IN SOUTH

NORTH ISLAND SUFFERS TOO

Further messages from the South Island indicate that the damage done by "the snowstorm was quite as severe as the first reports suggested. The snowstorm at. Ashburton was the worst for 25 years. The weather cleared yesterday, and this enabled some road communication to be established with outlying districts, but it will probably be some days before telephones are in working order again. The heaviest fall was in the Methveiv district, about 4ft being recorded. The pipes carrying the main water supply to the township burst. An interruption of the electric power neces* sitated ingenious emergency schemes for cooking. Between Ashburton and Mayfield, miles of telephone and power lines are down, several steel poles being bent to within a few inches of the ground. . The snow generally ranged from 2ft in inland areas to a sprinkling on the coast side of Ashburton. An unconfirmed report from s Ashburton says that a power-line gang, one of three sent out on Wednesday, has not reported since. There were some 200 power and telephone poles down, and a line repair gang was 'sent out. Nothing was heard from the gang, so a second gang was dispatched. Again nothing was heard, and a third gang was sent out. The third gang eventually discovered the second trying to dig itself from deep snow. It had been forced to abandon its motor vehicles and was trying to get back to Ashburton on foot. In the meantime there had been no word of the first gang. Christchurch and parts of Canterbury have suffered ve.ry much from lack of power, especially in North and Mid-Canterbury, has been on only intermittently. Telegraph communication between Christchurch and the West Coast is still interrupted. Steam trains are replacing the usual railcar service, but the train service has been delayed by further falls of snow. ■ .■ SNOW IN THE NORTH ISLAND. The' North Island, has had some heavy falls of snow on the high country. A Press Association message from Palmerston North says there has been a heavy snowfall in the,, high country at the back of Feilding. The snow has blocked roads and isolated townships. It is 20 inches deep at Eangiwania. The weight of the snow brought down the power, telegraph, .and telephone wires in all directions. It is estimated that it will take a week to effect repairs. The Hawke's Bay back country, too, has had snow, but not enough to cause any blockages on the Taupoj road. In the Wairarapa district there has been a heavy fall of snow on the Tararuas and the foothills, but there has been no flooding of any consequence. A Press Association message yesterday frdm New Plymouth states that jit had been snowing solidly for two days on Mount Egmont. and snow was now two miles down the track below the hostel. The heaviest coating for imany years covered the upper slopes of two nearby ranges. The snowfall followed a sharp drop in tempei-atures, i and the worst fortnight's weather for years. In the second half of June the rainfall was more than four times that of the first two weeks of the month. The total for the month has been just over J2 inches, which is I nearly a record. Wanganui has had rough weather, jan electrical storm causing disruption of power services. i WAIOURU SNOWED IN. Prolonged falls of snow throughout Wednesday night and yesterday morning resulted in a virtual cessation of activities at Waiouru military camp, according to a statement made last mght.. From about 6.30 p.m. on Wednesday until shortly after noon yesterday 10 inches of snow fell in the vicinity of the camp. All outdoor training was suspended and the men were confined for the greater part of yesterday to their huts. Although graders were at work, it was reported last night that the roads were still too slippery for traffic. Last night was clear and windless with a heavy frost. The weather forecast for the district predicted more wind and snow today. TAIHAPE-OHAKUNE ROAD The Automobile Association (Wellington) was advised this" morning that the Taihape-Ohakune road is now open, for traffic, but is reported to be in a very greasy . condition. The Desert road is still closed.