BACK TO WINTER

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 September 1926, Page 2

BACK TO WINTER

SOUTHERLY GaLE AND SNOW* Snow at Gl’eyinouth, half-Way through September’! Citizens looked, m amazement this morning, rubbea tneir eyes, and looked again. It was really and truly snowing ; not heavily, out none the less, it was snow, and even a littie of it is an extremely uncommon occurrence at Greymoutn. 'me late cold snap was unexpected, and unpleasant, accompanied as it rya® by a southerly gale which found' itb vay through the springlike clothing tnat most people nad donned, ana brought out overcoats' again. 'lhe nuiies were not heavy enough to settle, and melted as they touched the wet ground. By way of variety, there were snowers oi rain and hail, the former during the night being heavy, hearly half an inch was recorded at uieymouth. Ine fall of snow was much heavier on the surrounding ranges, . and the i'aparoas to-day wore a white coat. As if repenting her fall from grace, Spring called sunshine to her aid this aiternoon, and did her best to dispel the wintry conditions of the morning. Whitebait is definitely “off” so far as Greymouth menus are concerned. The present season has been very poor for the wielders of nets, and the pre-

sent spell of weather has stopped’ the bait coming up the river. In common with their colleagues of the rod and line, however, the fishers are always optimistic, and every night are dreaming of the pints of whitebait that will fall to their nets, when the weather improves. WEATHER. REPORTS. The weather reports from the various centres this morning indicate that high cold winds, with rain and snow, have prevailed during the last twenty-four hours. At Arthur’s Pass, the temperature at 9 o’clock tfliis morning was 25F., snow to a depth of seven inches had fallen, and 70 points of rain had been registered since 9 a.m. yesterday. It was still raining. At Christchurch, with a fresh westerly breeze blowing, the sky was overcast, and snow was reported to have fallen this morning. At Dunedin a south-westerly moderate gale, with snow falling, and a temperature of 33F., was reported. At Bluff the temperature was 35F., and_ snow was falling. Wellington reported a north-west breeze with rain, and heavy sea in Cook Strait. At Westport, 30 points of rain had been recorded ; the weather was showery and the sea rough.

At Greymouth a moderate southerly gale was blowing, weather showery and cold with occasional showers of hail; 42 points of rain were registered up to 9 a.m. to-day. Rough seas prevail right up the West Coast, and shipping is considerably hampered as a result. SNOW A r r REEFTON. (Our Own Correspondent!) BEEFTON, Sept. 16. During the night a fall of snow covered the town of Reefton to a depth of one inch. The weather is considerably colder, and shows signs of clearing. 'lhe country districts will show a greater depth, aiid weather conditions are bad, especially for lambs and dairy cattle. FALL AT HOKITIKA. HOKITIKA, Sept. 16. The heaviest fall of snow and hail for thirty years occurred between 10 o’clock and noon to-day, the streets being covered to a full inch. In some country districts the fall was four to six inches deep.

SOUTHLAND’S VISITATION (Per Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, Sept. 15. A westerly wind of exceptional severity accompanied by driving showers of snow and sleet, is sweeping over Invercargill to-night. Much damage has been done to gardens and orchards, and It is feared the cold snap will go hard with the outlying farms, where lambing has commenced . The weather is bitterly cold, with no signs of improvement and snow is general in the outlying districts of the province. IN OTHER CENTRES. DUNEDIN, Sept. 16. Sever* snow squalls occurred- an over Otago, but it is not expected that any great harm will result to the lambing. The principal risk is of frost which would nip apricot fruiting. WELLINGTON, Sept. 16. A beautiful spring morning to-day changed suddenly towards midday. Heavy bail and rain fell, followed by a little snow, which is uncommon here. The weather has improved, but is still cold and threatening.