TERRIFIC STORM

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 9 October 1936, Page 5

TERRIFIC STORM

SPRINGFIELD TO ARTHUR’S PASS AND ON THE WEST COAST INCESSANT THUNDER AND LIGHTNING FEARSOME EXPERIENCES IMPOSSIBLE TO STAND AGAINST WIND (By Telegraph—Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. A terrific electric storm has been raging in the mountains from Springfield to Arthur’s Pass, and also on the West Coast side of the Divide. As a result, direct telephonic and telegraphic communication is cut off and messages have to be sent via Blenheim. TRAINS HOURS LATE In addition, the automatic train signalling system has been thrown out of order and trains between Christchurch and Greymouth have been hours late. The affected, districts have been experiencing a tearing north-west wind, incessant thunder and lightning and heavy rain. All rivers in the higher country are rising and this morning it was doubtful whether the Post and Telegraph Department men would be able to get their cars through the Bruce and Cass rivers to repair damage west of those points.

With yesterday’s rail car accident in mind the Railway Department officials were seriously considering cancelling this morning’s run of the Christ-church-Hokitika rail car, in view of, the north-wester. After consultation, however, it was decided to send the car away, but as with steam trains, it was held up at intervals to allow for timetable crossings. PASSENGERS’ EXPERIENCES A fearsome experience was undergone by passengers and crew on the night goods train from Greymouth to Christchurch. Usually this train reaches Christchurch at 6.5 a.m., but to-day it arrived at 10.34 a.m. A few passengers were transferred at Springfield to a train leaving there at 7.50 a.m. and they arrived at Christchurch 27 minutes before the arrival of the goods train.

GUARD NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE IT

The guard of the train which left Christchurch about 6 o’clock last night on the Christchurch-Greymouth goods train and transhipped at Arthur’s Pass to the train travelling from the Coast, declared that he had never, experi-. enced anything like the thunder, lightning, wind and rain. -• On the line from Springfield to Arthur’s Pass, such was the strength of the wind, he said, that it was impossible to stand up against it.