ACCESS BARRED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21844, 5 July 1934, Page 12

ACCESS BARRED

NATIONAL PARK AREA A MEMORABLE NIGHT PEOPLE AT THE CHATEAU BUILDING BESET BY SNOW WORK OF CLEARING DRIFTS [BY TEL KG It AT LI —OWN CORRESPONDENT] THE CHATEAU, Wednesday A siibwstorm against which it was impossible to stand. at times swept the Chateau this morning. Huge snow drifts blocked the roadways and the Chateau is at present isolated in a white wilderness. Signs nf the impending storm were apparent last evening, when there were 1-1 degrees of frost, but the force of the blast was not felt until 3 a.m. to-day, when terrific gusts, accompanied by driving snow, beset the building. Tho experience of tho night was a memorable one, . with the tremendous storm raging incessantly. The occupants of tho Chateau were snowbound until as late as 11 a.m., when tho storm had spent its force. There were drifts six feet" deep about tho building, but willing hands quickly sot to the task of clearing the snow for easy access.

Stream Frozen Over The Wliakapapanui Stream was frozen over during tho storm and ice bridges had formed. Tho circumstances caused considerable concern, for tho hydro-elec-tric supply at the Chateau is operated from the stream. The supply was maintained, however, by means of water flowing beneath tho ice crust, but constant vigilance was necessary at the intake, whero the wator kept freezing. It was necessary to assign men to chip away tho ico formations in order to ensure the free entry of water. Similar precautions had to be observed within tho power-houso in order to prevent freezing in the valves. Another difficulty was tho freezing of the water plant, and for a time snow had to bo melted for some needs. The plant was brought back to ordinary running late in the afternoon. Big fires wore kept going 'within the Chateau all day, but it was necessary to ration coal as a fuel, as it had not been possible to replenish supplies. There was no lnck of timber, and everyone showed a keen regard for the maintenance of a sufficient stock of fuel. Tractor Buried in Snow The large drifts about tho Chateau will require to bo shifted by gangs of men, and late this evening there seemed to bo no immediate prospect of bringing tho roads back to their ordinary condition. Given good weather, however, tho work will not be prolonged. Tho tractor was taken out to-day past tho Haunted Whare, but its use for clearing snow was abandoned when the machine became almost buried in a huge drift. Efforts with the tractor will be renewed to-morrow morning, when it is hoped that good progress will be made toward restoring communication.

Tho phenomenal fall of snow will be of advantage fpr winter sports. It was deemed necessary to advise the Railway Department not to bring passengers on to the Chateau, but that measure was adopted merely in view of the existing conditions. Once the weather permits organised work on the roads, the services to the Chateau will be restored quickly. The weather was fine and clear this evening.

v At National Park station the snow was piled above the level of the platform. SLIP ON HILL ROAD GISBORNE MAIJ- DELAYED LORRY IN DIFFICULTIES [BY TELEGEArn —OWN CORRESPONDENT] GISBORNE, Wednesday Over three, hours' delay was caused to the mail lorry from the ncyth early this morning by a slip on the Meremere Hill. Yesterday advico was received that a track had been cut through the slip, and that a light car had negotiated the obstruction. When the mail lorry reached the slip at three o'clock this morning, however, it was found that the track provided was quite inadequate for a vehicle of its size and weight. The lorry forced itself half-way through the slip, but then could bo moved no further, and for three hours the driver and Lis assistant had to scrape away clay and rubble with their hands and feet in bitterly cold weather, the position of the lorry being such thi't shovels could not be used. As a result of the delay the mail did not reach the post office until 8.15 a.m., instead of 5 a.m.

WAIRARAPA DISTRICT MOTORISTS HELD UP ROAD OVER RIMUTAKAS [ill* TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION 1 CARTERTON, Wednesday Bitterly cold weather has prevailed in the Wairarapa district since the week-end, and snow has fallen in most parts. The Tararua and Maungaraki .Ranges aro covered with a heavy fall, while portions of the Rimutakas are blocked by drifts 20 inches deep. Motorists have, had an unenviable time, and driving conditions have been dangerous. Several parties spent last night at the summit of the Rimutakas, being unable to get through. It was not uncommon to see cars pushing each other up hills and round corners. Cars frequently skidded in tho opposite direction, but other motorists willingly lent all possible help. The trip to Wairarapa from Wellington took, in the majority of cases, at least five hours. Train' services were interrupted this morning as tho result of a washout at Mangaroa, but it is expected that they will bo back to normal to-morrow. The rivers aro all swollen, but are not yet flooding. Southern Wairarapa experienced a severe storm yesterday, making settlers anxious about the rivers. Martinborough experienced an electrical storm, but no damage lias been reported, and there have been no stock losses.

Tho prospects are for a continuance of bleak weather. The snow is very heavy in the back country and extends to the low foothills. Nearly two inches of rain fell at Cartorton yesterday. A Press Association message from jiasterton stated that conditions on the Rimutaka Road were reported to bo considerably improved, and cars were able to cross the hill with care. Some delay was caused to the train service this morning by a washout at Mungaroa, but the line was repaired at mid-day.