SNOW STORM

Kaikoura Star, Volume LIV, Issue 52, 5 July 1934, Page 2

SNOW STORM

COMMUNICATIONS INTERRUPTED.

for upwards of thirty years has Kaikoura experienced a snow storm such as set in on Alonday night, cutting off communication from other centres’. Rain fell on Alonday until near midnight, when snow began to fall, an 1 by morning there was a depth of four to six inches in the town an.i suburban area, with very much heavier falls in the back country.

Shortly after midnight residents were awakened by weird noises, these being caused by the snapping of telegraph and telephone wires, the falling of telegraph poles and trees, brought about by the weight of snow. Those who investigated matters in the bright moonlight were rewarded with a most spectacular sight—shrubs, trees and buildings be ing covered with a mantle of whiteness, and as far as the eyes could see, nothing but snow. The mountains wore then invisible, but during Tuesday afternoon there were glimpses of the higher country, and it could be observed that there had been a heavy fall of snow on the mountains. On the Waiau road at places snow was lying on the road to a depth of three feet, and motor traffic was blocked. The North road remained clear, and the mail car managed to get through to Parnassus. Telegraph poles and electric light poles were brought down, and both services were interrupted. Kaikoura was in darkness and 50 per cent, of the telephone service was interrupted. From Alill road to Postman’s road, a distance of under two miles, no less than thirty telegraph poles were down, while in other instances the ci of a arms were suspended by the wires. Along Beach road, too, many poles snapped off and these will have to be renewed. The Telegraph Department also met trouble on the inland road, ninny poles being down in this area.

Until communication is restored it is impossible to ascertain how matters stand in the back country.

With so much snow on the low-lying and high land there is a danger of floods once the thaw commences.

Stock will experience a very bad time with existing blizzard conditions. Fortunately there is an abundance of fodder and root crops in the district, with which to feed stock, otherwise there would be a deal of loss.

Telegraphic communication has now been restored, but there is a deal of disorganisation with the telephone service. Road traffic is clear between Kaikoura, Christchurch and Blenheim.