SEVERE COLD SNAP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20628, 29 July 1930, Page 10

SEVERE COLD SNAP.

BITTER DAY IN AUCKLAND.

SNOW FALLS ON RANGES.

FLAKES SEEN IN THE CITY.

ROUGH WEATHER AT SEA.

Exceptionally cold weather was experienced in Auckland yesterday, and hailstorms swept the city and suburbs in the early hours of the morning. There was a light fall of snow on the Waitakero Ranges, and a few flakes fell in Karangaliape Poad and at Onehunga. There were many changes in the weathc during the day. A furious storm broko shortly after 4 a.m., and raged for a considerable time. Residents leaving their homes in the morning faced slight showers, while tho atmosphere was decidedly chilly. Heavy rain and driving sleet commenced to fall about 11 o'clock, but it was not of long duration. The mood of tho weather changed after noon and there was intense cold, with lowering skies. Later in tho afternoon a watery sun made its appearance, tempering tho chill of tho atmosphere. Snow Novel for Auckland. The fall of snow on the Waitakere Ranges was purely local and it lasted for about 10 minutes from 11 o'clock. 'When the weather cleared, a thin white blanket covered the trees and shrubs on the higher regions. Tho bush in the vicinity of tho "Waiatarua Hotel, at Nihotupu, presented n beautiful appearance with its light dusting of snow. The slight fall of snow flakes in KaraTigahapo Road was a most novel sight. 'Auckland has not seen snow for over 30 years, and tho reported appearanco of show in one of the main thoroughfares of the city was difficult to believo by those who did not see it. Tho flakes at Onehunga were accompanied by a shower of hail.

At mid-day the temperature was 45 degrees, an exceptionally low figure. It was even colder in the middle of the day than in the morning, tho temperature at nine o'clock being 46 degrees. At nine o'clock on Sunday tho temperature was 49 degrees. The lowest temperature recorded on . the grass for the 24 hours prior to jiino o'clock yesterday morning was 33 degrees.

The temperature on the grass at Sandringham last evening was the lowest recorded this winter. Tho reading at seven o'clock was 29 degrees, and a thin film of ico had formed on exposed water. A consolation to be drawn from the cold weather is that it will probably be followed by a good, warm spring. After all, tho present season is the natural one for cold weather, and it is not likely that low temperatures will continue to be recorded •when the season changes. The thought should bo a happy one for those raising early vegetables and fruit. Several Times Delayed. An exceptionally prolonged spell of stormy southerly weather is _ causing considerable delay to shipping, both at sea and on tho coast. Tho Royal Mail liner Tahiti, which should have reached Wellington from San Francisco yesterday morning, has been further delayed by the storm, and now reports that" she will not reach Wellington until five o'clock this evening, instead of this morning, as stated in her former •wireless report. Owing to the delay her departure for Sydney has been postponed nntil Thursday. The American steamer Golden Coast was scheduled to reach Auckland from Los Angeles on Sunday, but she was still heset by storms yesterday, and was unable to advise what time she expected to arrive. The Shaw. Savill and Albion liner Corinthic was duo at Wellington from London yesterday, but owing to tho weather she will not arrive until tomorrow. Tho New Zealand Shipping Company's liner Remuera was due at "Wellington from London at daybreak yesterday, but she also was delayed by storms, and did not arrive until last even, ing. The Commonwealth mid Dominion Line's chartered steamer Henzada is due at Auckland from New York ;< an early date, but she had not reported by wireless yesterday, and it is thought that she has heen delayed by the weather. The Commonwealth and Dominion Line's motorship Port Fremantle was to have left Gisborne for Auckland last night, but she was unablo to load yesterday owing to a southerly storm at Gisborne. Owing to the stormy conditions on the west coast the Kaponga has been barbonnd at Greymouth since last Thursday, and the Northern Company's auxiliary vessel Ronaki has been barbound at Waikato Heads for a week

TARANAKI DISTRICT.

MOUNT EGMONT COATED.

A BEAUTIFUL SPECTACLE

[nv TELEGRAPH. —OWN* CORRESPONDENT.] >*EV; PLYMOUTH, Morula-.-.

Snowfalls have been general in Taranaki, and have been accompanied by exceptionally low temperatures. The residents of New Plymouth were surprised this morning when there was a slight fall pi snow in the town. The flakes soon melted, however, except in the higher suburbs, where they lasted long enough to give a white coat to the ground. Snow fell very heavily on Mount Lament during the week-end, and this morning the scene about the North -Mountain House was very beautiful. The night on the mountain was very cold, and it snowed hard practically all the time. It was considered that motor-cars would find it almost impossible to reach the hostel until the track was cleared, and this could not be done to-dav.

Falls of snow occurred last night throughout South Taranaiu. Old residents of the Hawera district recalled that until now no snow had fallen in Hawera itself since the storm of 1397. [he farmers report that the first lambs of the new season have appeared, and that the weather, although exceedingly cold, has not been the cause of any mortaltiy.

SEVERE CONDITIONS.

SOUTHLAND ROADS BLOCKED.

[joy telegraph.— press association.] INVDRCAKGILL. Monday.

A considerable amount of snow has fallen in Southland. Around Invercargill, in most of the coastal regions and through much of the eastern district, particularly in the vicinity of Gore, the fall did not exceed 2}in., but in the northern district and the higher country conditions were more severe.

In the country around Oarston, 26 miles from Lumsden, the average depth this morning was over a foot, and there wero drifts as deep as four feet. Travelling conditions wero very difficult in this district, and the drivers of cars had to fthovel the snow clear before they could pass. A large service bun was unable to get through, and the passengers had •to do conveyed in a saloon car, which reached Invercargill with snow piled high jpn the running boards and bonnet.