SNOWFALLS REPORTED.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXVII, Issue LXXVII, 22 July 1918, Page 4

SNOWFALLS REPORTED.

(BY TET/PGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION ) CHRISTCHTJRCH, July 20. I . Heavy snow is falling at Otira, nine ! inches having been registered up to 3 p.m. . CHRISTCHURCH, July 21. Chnstchureh and the surrounding districts this afternoon are lying under a mantle of snow, over four inches deep in the open. As far as is known, similar conditions prevail throughout Canterbury, although no information is obtainable yet from country districts. A heavy south-west gale blew last night, accompanied by heavy rain. Snow commenced to fall early this morning, and continued steadily until midday. At times it was accompanied by a very strong south-west gale of Antarctic keenness. The train service i was disorganised, and all forms of locomotion very difficult. " The ferry steamer Marafoa reached Lyttelton just before 9 o'clock this morning, ! after a very boisterous trip of eighteen hours from Wellington. At 5 o'clock further snow was threatening. WELLINGTON, July 21-. There were several light falls of snow to-day—a rare ,occurrence in Wellington —and, though the snow melted on the lower levels, the hills surrounding the citv showed white this afternoon. Mr Bates, speaking at 5 p.m., said that though the snow was not over yet, the prospects are that the storm will clear within 36 hours. Telegraphic communication with Christchurch was lost this morning, but in the afternoon one direct wire was working there, and one to Greymouth. MASTERTON, July 21. Another heavy snowstorm has been experienced throughout the Wairarapa to-day, the whole countryside • being covered. Fears are expressed foT the stock.