SNOW IN THE COUNTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19458, 14 October 1926, Page 12

SNOW IN THE COUNTRY.

GENERAL FALL RECORDED. HILLS WITH WHITE MANTLE. MARKED FALL IN TEMPERATURE. [by telegraph.—own correspondents.J TATJRANGA, Wednesday. The wind changed to the south-east yesterday afternoon and was immediately followed by a marked fall in tho temperature. Tho night was very cold. This morning snow was visible orf the j ranges extending from Papamoa to Kati* kati. The fall was considerable and in) some places the wooded slopes were covored with a white mantle from the summit of the ranges right down to the low lands. The fall, which is the second in a few weeks, appeared to bo heaviest in the neighbourhood of Kaimai. Old residents say that the fall of snow is the greatest Ihey have ever seen in this district and it is very rarely indeed j that snow is seen on the local ranges. ' Light rain also fell during the night. ROTORUA, Wednesday. The hills round the town looked beautiful to-dey, being covered with snow from top to bottom. Those who were early astir saw the roofs of the houses with a light coating. HAMILTON, Wednesday. A cold snap following the heavy rain of the last few days set in last evening. This morning snow was observed on Pirongia, Maungatautari and Maungakawa mountains. The level of the Waikato has dropped about 3ft. since it reached its peak level on Monday night. Heaviest for Years. TE AROHA. Wednesday. A fall of snow met the gaze of Te Aroha residents this morning. The Te Aroha mountain was covered with a thick white mantle, which extended along the range as far as tho eye could see. This is a most unusual sight for -this district and the present fall is the heaviest seen here for many years. TE AWAMUTU Wednesday.'. The hills round Te Awamutu were a glorious sight this morning in their mantle of snow. ' Rain had fallen dur r ing the night, then a cold wind, followed, resulting iri snow on* the higher country. The view of Pirongia Mountaih was re-, markably clear and snow was observed right down to the lowest slopes. Maungatautari Mountain was. also weil covered. In the township of Pukeatud, on the southern slopes of Maungatautari, 3in. of snow lay all over the ground. Kakepuku Hill was also covered. Settlers in this district state that they cannot recall ever having had two such heavy sno—faliß before so late in the year as the one this morning and tho one a month ago. The weather to-day has been fine. Tarawora a fine Spectacle. MAMAKU, Wednesday. After a long spell of warm, wet weather, the temperature suddenly fell yesterday and a heavy fall of snow occurred last night. Tarawera Mountain made a grand spectacle in its mantle of white when viewed from the higher points of, Mamaku. NGARUAWAHIA, Wednesday. The rivers were a little higher this morning and the Glen Massey railway was unable to function. Tho water is sft. deep on the Waingaro road and cream and mails were ferried across in a boat. Parts of the Te Kowhai road are impassable. Heavy "fain fell last night. KAWHIA. Wednesday. ! Snow was visible • this morning well down the. slopes of the Pirongia and Hauturu ranges. Tho extent of tho snOwfall and the low altitudo is unprecedented. Falls Recorded Further South. GISBORNE. Wednesday. The heaviest fall of snow for years mantled the Poverty Bay hills this morning, establishing a record in some parts for a late fall. WELLINGTON, Wednesday. There was a slight fall of sriow yesterday on the hills surrounding the city. CARTERTON, Wednesday. Frequent falls of snow took place here last night. This morning the ground was quite white for a- time, but ram squalls and bursts of sunshine dispersed the snow. The hills on both sides of the valley are white-mantled down to the lowest foothills. THE MANAWATU DISTRICT. GORGE ROAD BLOCKED. GREAT FALL OF EARTH. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] PALMERSTON NORTH. Wednesday. The flood waters are slowly receding in the inundated areas of the Manawatu district, but it will bo several Aeeks before some of the lower-lying flats will l.v ( clear. It , was expected that the Manawatu Gorge Road would be clear this morning, but at seven o'clock a Huge slip, estimated at 3000 yards of spoil, fell near the Palmerston North end, sweeping the hardwood railings into the river and effectively blocking the highway at least for to-day. Rocks an ? debris continued to fall at intervals for hours, preventing the workmen from removing the obstruction.