BRITAIN’S WINTER

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 104, 2 April 1929, Page 6

BRITAIN’S WINTER

UNUSUAL BITTERNESS 1 . VISITORS PLEASED TO BE IN NEW ZEALAND. (By Telegraph.—Special to Standard.) AUCKLAND, April 1. The bitterness of the past winter in Britain was described by passengers who arrived from London -by the Port Napier. They stated, that the weather was at its very worst for a week prior to the sailing of the vessel. “We all have a great love for Old England, but it was a good place to be out of,” said Mr F. M. Woodland, a retired Englisfi Magistrate. ‘The wind was. almost cold enough to cut one’s ears off. We have had as much snow and ice before, but never within the memory of man has there been a bitter wind 'of such persistency.” Other passengers stated that the cold was unusually intense. Even huge fires did nci shut the cold out entirely, and they wondered how the poor people, who were unable to enjoy the luxury of a fire, managed to exist for weeks on end. The only effect of the sun had been to distinguish day from night.” . “Of all, the Continental countries, Germany seems to have suffered the worst.” Air AVoodland added. “No man living in England cquld recall a winter such as we had, but in Germany there were no records covering a period of 300 years that indicated any period as bad. . _ “It is a delight to be in New Zealand with its warm-sunshine and green landscapes.” The Port- Napier did not run out of the cold zone for 10 days after leaving London. During that period an icy wind blew,, accompanied by sleet and heavy seas. A southerly course was taken, however, and the vessel thereafter experienced warmer weather and calm seas.