THE WEATHER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVI, Issue 12562, 25 July 1901, Page 5

THE WEATHER.

A Little Biver correspondent writes: After having been under snow for three weeks the hills around Little Biver. are appearing again, thanks to the rains that have fallen during the last week. lb is reported that a good many sheep have been lost in the district.' Mr H. D. BudhaJiaiQ has lost about 500, audi Messrs Montgomery, Coop, Birdling and others have all suffered losses. The rivers are in flood, and a few slips are coming down, the fords are dangerous in consequence. The settlers on the lake flats are in a sad state. The properties of Messrs Gread, Magon, Harris and others are covered with water, and in some instances the tops of the fences surrounding the sections are not visible. The houses, although built on the highest ground available, are surrounded with water, and all the springs and' wells are full of the surface brackish water of Lake Ellesmere, which is not fit for use. Cattle are wading knee deep in the flood, nibbling at a few stray rushes that are above the water. It is reported that the contract for letting' out Lake Ellesmere has been let for two months, and if this be so, the Selwyn County Council ought to see ■that the work is pushed on with a view of relieving the settlers.

Snow fell (heavily in the Methveru district on Tuesday, changing to rain in the evening. The severe frosts and snowfalls experienced during the past three weeks have seriously hindered all tfarm work. v *