STORMY WEATHER

Grey River Argus, 11 June 1935, Page 5

STORMY WEATHER

RADIO TO RESCUE Severe Local Conditions COLD TEMPERATURES AT GREY. Alfhijugh the rain was intermit tent in (treymouth yesterday, a southerly made conditions decidedly miserable, thermometers being well down. On occasions heavy hail showers were experienced, causing a. further fall in the temperature. Snow was again falling in the back country, and the Otira Gorge road is blocked by snow, some of the drifts being very deep. Telephonic communication with Christchurch remained cut-off throughout the day ami evening, but a n»stricted telegraphic service was operated throughout the day, an improvement being effected last e.vening. The snowfall on the Alps has been exceptionally heavy, and yesterday there was snow on the western side right down to Tnchbonnie. CHRISTCHURCH TELEGRAPHIC BREAK. After a considerable interruption of both telegraphic and telephonic communication between Wellington and Christchurch, there was a partial restoration yesterday evening. Press messages between the West Coast and Canterbury had to be sent via Wellington. The telegraphic system south of Christchurch remained disorganised last night, as also between Christchurch and Darfield. The restoration had been on the line north to Marlborough. RADIO IN USE. The break in telegraphic and telephonic services, due to damaging effect of the snow storms on the lines of the East Coast and the ranges, has occasioned the use of wireless by the P. and T. Department to a considerable extent as a. substitute. For instance, the Wellington Office yesterday used radio to handle the business with the South Island, transmitting to Timaru and also to Awarua Station in Southland. Greymouth office used the radio yesterday for communicating with Timaru, Westport and Dunedin. Word was received at midnight that all telegraph offices from Timaru southwards were still cut off from communication by wire with Christchurch.