THE WEATHER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIX, Issue 14736, 15 July 1908, Page 7

THE WEATHER.

The southerly breeze which bicw yesterday promised another spell of bad weather and last night there was a light shower of rain. At midnight the sky was still overcast and there were indications of more rain. Dunedin reported a bright, moon light night. Tho Telegraph Department reported that all wires were working well Jast niglit. At Lyttelton last night a fresh south-west breeze prevailed and there were s*howors of rain. There was a marked change in the weather at A6hburton yesterday, a cold south-west wind blowing.' Several showers of rain fell during the afternoon, and the atmosphere was intensely cold. A Press Association message from Timaru states that reports from the Mackenzie County show that the north side is heavily clad with snow, there being about three feet at Burke's Pass, and four feet nt Tekapo. Rain fell heavily again at Timaru last night. HEAVY SNOWSTORMS IN CENTRAL OTAGO. THE POSITION AT NASEBY. FLOODS ON THE TAIERI PLAIN. [Fhom Oxra Correspondent.] DTJNEDIN, July 14. Seven inches of snow fell this morning at Naseby. The settlers are engaged shovelling snow or removing their stock to places of safety. Anxiety wa<s felt for the safety of the men emEloyed on the Government water-races, ut word to hand, from the relief parties sent to their assistance states that all are safe. If cut off from tho railway for any lengtti of time, and there is no immediate prospect of communication being restored, food supplies must run short, flour, sugar and kerosene being at a premium, while coal is very scarce. A representative of the Dunedin "Star, who rode from Ranfurly, a journey of nine miles, not unattended with incident, thus describes his entry into Naseby:—"The town itself was a. veritable hive of industry. Gangs of men were busy cutting paths along the streets, others on roofs shovelling, to prevent the buildings from collapsing under the weight, and not a few could be seen carrying flour, kerosene, etc., home to guard against a famine. The sight Mas a memorable one. Only the heads of those in the streets could be seen, and the trenches cut out of solid snow gave tho place the appearance of some gigantic drainage scheme in progress. The Post Office and grocery establishments were the only places where the ordinary run of business seemed to be going on, all others beinjr suspended and the residents, both male and female, engaged in shovelling." As to the effect of the late floods on the Taieri Plain, the same writer says: —" The real trouble is what to do with tho thousands of cattle and sheep sent up to the hills. The fodder is sparse enough up tiiere, and it will be possibly three weeks before the-water'leaves the plain, and three months before the cattle can be put on the sour ground again, even if the best weather Ls experienced, and it will be possibly the same period before a plough can bo put to the land. Hence the position of the smaller farmers is likely to be very serious. They will have to sell their stock, as there will be no feed for them. Men in a bigger way will be sending their stock south. The movement lias already started; 150 head of cattle went to fidendale this morning for turnip feed, but the bulk of the cattle are still on the hills. The damace to the river bank is very serious. It is said that it will take £2OOO to wall up the breaks. The gap at Otokia/ will take £oQO atone. Considering the suddenness and the extent of the flood, the loss of stock has been very small indeed." [Per Press Association.] The outlook in the Naseby district is very gloomy. Snow commenced again early this morning and fell heavily at Naseby, Kokonga, Kyeburu, Plyde, Ranfurly, Roughridge, St Bathans and Waipiata. At Naseby snow is being vigorously shovelled from tho buildings and many roofs propped up as a precautionary measure. At Alexandra there is talk of sending a waggon to Lawrence for provisions. It is snowing heavily at Naseby and in the surrounding district, and also inmost parts of Central Qtago. Heavy rain fell in Dunedin overnight.