SNOW-BOUND CANTERBURY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16896, 8 July 1918, Page 4

SNOW-BOUND CANTERBURY

FROST RELAXING GRIP.. FLOODS MAY FOLLOW THAW. BACK COUNTRY CUT OFF. [BY TELEGRAPH.-OWN CORRESPONDENT.] CHRISTCRURCH, Saturday. Tub frost in the snow-bound Canterbury areas is relaxing its. grip, and in many districts to-day a northwest wind was playing over the frozen mantle, which is thawing under its breath. Already on the plains areas the dark of the hedges is beginning to show through tho fleecy covering, and slush is replacing the powdered snow on the lower levels. Given a continuation of these conditions it will rot be long before the big fall of 1918 will be a thing of yesterday. The electric current from Lake Coleridge is still flowing towards the city over the south transmission lino, and the tramways are now running on tho power generated by the turbines amid tho frozen mountains. The supplying of tho teamways is possible through the fact that their demands for power, and also for industrial energy, aro considerably less on Saturday and Sunday. On Monday, however, the tramways plant may again have to bo brought into requisition, as it is probable that the North I.ako transmission line will not be in working order for some time. The thaw is assisting tho telephone and telegraph repair gangs, for j previously the task of searching for the wires which were frozen under tho mow had been especially difficult. Now two wires aro carrying telegraphic matter to and from Wellington over the \\ est Coast Blenheim route. With tho thaw, however, flooding is almost inevitable, a fact which may handicap and delay the resumption of tho east coast telegraphic'service. There is an improvement in the railway position, and operations on several of the lines have been restored. The snow continues to be an effective barrier to tho back country. The thaw may for a day or so delay tho carrying of much-needed relief to Lako Coleridgo.

Mr. Breckon, who has got through from Hanmer Springs to Culv'erden, stated that the outlook in Hanmer was very black. Supplies wore running very low, especially at the Queen Mary Hospital, and as vehicular communication could not bo restored for some time, the prospects were not very cheerful. He said meat had been obtained from the neighbourhood, but the residents had hardly enough for themselves, while the stocks of flour had almost run out. Incidentally Mr. Breckon remarked that Hanmer was under 3ft or 4ft of snow, and it was known that losses of stock, etc., in tho district would be very considerable.

SHORT OF PROVISIONS.

ISOLATED INHABITANTS.

ARRANGEMENTS FOR RELIEF. [bt telegraph.— correspondent.] . CHEISTCHURCH, Saturday. Tho principal difficulty now confronting the Public Works Electrical Department is that of getting provisions through to tho Lake Coleridge power-house staff, I who remain in a state of siege. Various I plans have been discussed. Two men with two saddle-horses and two pack-horses left Hororata this morning on an attempt to get through. Mr. L. Birks, chief Government electrical engineer, and Mr. G. F. Ferguson, assistant engineer, visited the Canterbury Aviation Company's flying' grounds at Sockburn this morning to discuss the proposition of fixing tho engine and body of an aeroplane on to runners, which would skim along the snow. Mr. J. G. Mackie, chief constructor of the aerodrome, has received instructions from the directors* of the company to proceed with the construction of a motor-sledgo with a 45 horse-power engine and an aeroplane propeller. Some of the inhabitants of Staircase are right out of provisions, and .it 18 reported that further up, at- Cora Lynn and Arthur's Pass, the people are' in a grave situation, owing to the line being blocked with ice. Some'of the residents of Staircase managed to meet yesterday's relief train, when they obtained meat and bread, etc. The place most seriously .affected through isolation is Avoca, where over 40 men are employed in working ' the coal mine. Although there is a small : store, its stock would not last ft week, J and the arrival of the relief trail at that ! place will be anxiously awaited. ' - i A pitiful case was brought under the; notice of the relief party yesterday near Staircase. Mr. D. Brown, a' platelayer, employed by the Government railways at Staircase, met tho train between. Otarama and Staircase, where he Received his first supply of food since last Saturday. His baby, a little boy, is an invalid, and has been without milk for a week. Mr. Brown stated that he and his family could not have lasted out until Monday, as his supply of food was exhausted. He was delighted when the train arrived, and, after receiving meat, groceries, and vegetables, he commenced his return journey of two miles to Staircase on snow shoes.

It is hoped to reach the isolated dis- .; tricts up to Arthur's Pass by Sunday 1 night, thus relieving a serious situation, as it is a week to-day since the last train carrying supplies went through to Arthur's Pass. V* Of hill country conditions news/is beginning _to filter through, and it 'is not I heartening. Losses' are reported from Springfield, where sheep have been smothered, whilst out on the hills surrounding Oxford it is still snowing. However, frosts are the' uncertain element upon which the stock position in the back country still depends. CONDITIONS AT TIMARU. PARTIAL THAW OX SATURDAY. [by telegraph.—press association.] TIMARU, Sunday. Special stock trains are being run on the Fairlie branch lino to bring sheep from the snowed in country. A warm north-westerly wind yesterday caused a partial thaw. RESTORING COMMUNICATION. COAST LINES STILL DOWN. fßi TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. Telegraphic conditions arc gradually improving, two wires being now in operation to the West Coast, giving communication with Wellington. Work is now being kept down fairly well. The operating staff was employed all last night covering the accumulation of work, and the lines were all clear at half-past five this morning. _ ( OULVERDEN'S EXPERIENCE. RECORD FALL OF SNOW. Following on the snowfall reported at Culverden on Monday, a heavy fall was experienced on Monday night, when a further 18in of snow' fell, making an average fall of about two fc,ei to two feet six inches. Old residents state it is the heaviest fall experienced in Culverden to their knowledge. Damage was caused to buildings through the weight of the snow tearing off spouting, breaking skylights, and, in two or three instances, breaking through the root's of sheds.' The Railway Department was unable to get the trains through, and all telegraphic and telephonic communication was interrupted, as the lines were down all over the district.