ROUGH WEATHER

Grey River Argus, 23 September 1911, Page 6

ROUGH WEATHER

Tho beauties of the overland journey from Greymouth to Christchurch with its middle, portion in coaches thro ugh the Ot:ra Gorig-c, have been quite" overshadowed by the rough, weather experienced in Canterbury since Saturday. The coaches to the Otira from Cass on Saturday found the rivers in flood, anil the mail was delayed until Sunday, but the weather conditions for travelling were not very bad. On Monday, however, snow fell at the Beaky, and it was known early on Monday that passengers proceeding horn tho coast to Christchurch would, experience cold condition. The xeports deterned one or two irom crossing Arthur's Pass, and those who continued on the journey from Otira met with one of the most unpleasant drives that the service has « known ior several years. Sleet and snow driven into the faces of trios? 'on the box seats by the strong sou'wester quickly made everybody wet and uncomfortable, and -tihe drivers found it difficult to face the storm. Driving cautiously, however, .they covered the road journey without mishap, but wens about two hours late in arriving at the Bqaley, which was fairly high, but was formidable.

At Cass, when they boarded the train, the passtncfers found that their misery had not ceased. There were no foot-warmers on the train, and the travellers had to sit in the cold compartments and finish the long tiring journey under conditions that could only provoke dissatisfaction.

One passenger, speaking of the journey to .a reporter, said that he could not understand why the footwarmers were not placed on the Cass trains in cold weather. Coming fno-m a cold coach ride, the passengers, including some women, would luave been greatly comforted by the heat of the warmeirs. The ijun down from the Cass was usually fairly cold, and the conditions, on Monday were absolutely the worst hn had known. — " Lytlelton Times."