HUNDREDS OF MOTORISTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 13 November 1928, Page 6

HUNDREDS OF MOTORISTS

FIGHT WITH WIND, KAIN AND HAIL (By Telegraph—Special to "The Mail") CHRISTCHURCH, 12th November. Hundreds of motorists had a nightmare experience in battling homewards against the storm at 5 p.m. yesterday. The fierce wind, rain and hail buffeted \ the cars, and progress was uncertain and at time dangerous. This was particularly so on the main North road. Lured from the city by the sunshine of the morning some thousands of people made for the beaches and picnic spots north of Christchurch. The darkened sky over the city was accepted by many picnickers as a warning to make for home, and there was soon a long string of cars proceeding to the city. From Sumner round the port hills hung a vast white, steady curtain of thick cloud, resting as it seemed on an equally impenetrable inky- mass. The line of demarcation between black and white w-as. very sharp, and to motorists bowling citywards in sunshine and very little wind, the effect was uncanny in the extreme. Cattle on the road started to run wild as the whistling gale swept up from the direction of the city. Two big straw stacks in a paddock were caught by the wind, and cars were obscured in a deep shower of straw. Then down came the rain and hail. Windscreen wipers worked overtime in clearing the thick coating of mush from the.glass. Hail piled on the running boards and on' the cowls of the cars. The gale made the work of keeping a steady course most difficult. Vision was obscured and flying branches of trees were dangerous. Scores of motors were driven into the shelter of hedges, and scores of open cars were pulled up on the road while their drivers, wet" through, strove to adjust side curtains or retrieve those that had blown out. Many hoods were ripped, and cars not equipped with windscreen wipers were held up. The temperature was low, and the engines cooled down in remarkably short time. The experience was one which many motorists and passengers will remember for a long time.