THE BAD WEATHER.

Grey River Argus, 13 October 1926, Page 4

THE BAD WEATHER.

COLD SNAP. SNOW IN CANTERBURY. ASHBURTON, October 12. The back country of mid-Canterbury is having the unusual experience of snow in October. Following a dry, mild winter, conditions became moist 'about ten days ago, with the culmination. at the week-end when heavy rain fell throughout the country. The fall in the boroughs for the twenty-four ’hours ended 9 a.m. yesterday was 143 points. Snow' fell in the back country, increasing in intensity last night, three or four inches lying on the ground at Stavely under the foot of the hills. Similar conditions are elsewhere. In the highlands, the falls were higher. The sudden change is causing some mortality among lambs, especially in hill stations, where lambing is in progress. The conditions are now brightening. SEVERE CONDITIONS. ALL OVER CANTERBURY. CHRISTCHURCH, October 12. The storm which broke in Canterbury on Sunday’ has proved the most severe one experienced during the spring for many years. Snow* has falloff and on since Sunday, and to-day snow was lying from two to six inches deep on the high country. It is feared that the mortality amongst lambs will be heavy on the hills, where lambing is later than on the plains. In the city, the -weather is fine, but it is bitterly cold. EXPRESSES DELAYED. ON MAIN TRUNK. AUCKLAND, Oct. 12. The Limited and the second express, the former of which left Wellington at 2 p.m., and the latter at 7.10 p.m., on Sunday, arrived here at 1 p.m. to-day. Last night the Limited express left Auckland as usual but did not leave Frankton Junction till this morning. The ordinary express last night was cancelled. It left here at 7.53 a.m. today. The Limited will depart on time tonight. MERCER? MENACED. AUCKLAND, October 12. At Mercer this morning two of the railway trucks were under water. The river is still rising rapidly. Record Waikato Flood. POWER STATION INUNDATED. GREAT VOLUME OF WATER. HAMILTON, October 12. Abnormal rain has fallen throughout the Waikato Province during the past week. The Waikato River rose rapidly yesterday, reaching the highest level recorded for the past twenty years, the waters are now receding At the peak of the flood, the river was 12 feet above normal. The new wharf at Hamilton was submerged to a depth of 2| feet. The wharf sheds and offices were endangered, but no fears are now entertained. At Arapuni, the Waikato River is running cliff to rt'.tf, totally submerging the Coffer dam and excavations. The foaming torrent is a beautiful sight as it is shooting out of the diversion tunnel, the power developed being about 24,000 h.p. The tun neT was constructed to handle 14,000 cusecs, but it is successfully carry ng 22.000 cusecs The Power House site is completely flooded. The flood reached the 24,000 cusec mark a t 6 a.m. on Sunday. The river came over the‘Gabion Dam in a wall of water four feet high. The gabions have held fast and no gear was carried away The greatest damage done was to the ’lower auxiliary dam, which was partially completed, and the contractors have received a setback. The company will be forced to remove a deposit of silt accumulated by the flood. It is impossible for cars to tr a vel between Hamilton and Auckland. Rangiriri is isolated. At Mercer a mile of road is 2jft. under water. Extensive slips have .occurred throughout the province. Culverts have been washed out. The farmers have suffered general damage, their land being under water. No losses of stock are reported. Waipa County has suffered severely The cream and postal delivery has been stopped in places. Road communication in various parts of the district is cut off. To-day broke fine, but the sky is overcast, and the outlook is not bright. HAIL AT WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, Oct. 12. The cold southerly weather continued this morning. Some hail fell and also a slight fall of snow. The ferry steamer Maori had a rough trip in the heavy south-easterly gale. A big sea running caused the vessel to roll considerably. The racehorse Waetea fell down in a stall in the hold, and was badly knocked about by being kicked by other horses. It had to be conveyed from the wharf in a. live stock cart. MANAWATU INUNDATION. PALMERSTON N., October 12. Rivers in the district are now well below flood level, but the continued overflow of the Oroua River through I be broken stop hanks, caused a most extensive inundation yesterday afternoon and evening vith the result that to-day many hundreds of acres are completely covered at a. depth of several feet. The road to Foxton is covered for a distance of some two 4, miles, and is impassable to motor

traffic, two cars being hauled out by horses, this morning after attempting a passage. The extension of flooding after the rain had ceased and rivers fallen has had a surprising- effect on the dairying industry in the districts affected. OPUA W RECK AFFECTED. WELLINGTON, Oct. 12. The Opua has been driven further inshore. Th© opinion is held at Toro Station that the vessel break up unless the storm eases before the next tides.