FALL ON EGMONT

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

FALL ON EGMONT

HOSTELS INACCESSIBLE HEAVIEST ON NORTH SIDE FOOD SUPPLIES RUN SHORT ARDUOUS TRIPS BY GUIDES [by telegraph —own correspondent] NEW PLYMOUTH, Wednesday The heaviest fall of snow ever roniembored there occurred at the North Egmont Hostel this morning, and for a time tho occupants were completely isolated, oven telephonic communication being severed. The snowstorm, which had lasted about a week, and which ended at mid-day to-day, has completely blanketed Mount Egmont and left an unusually thick mantle on the ranges and made the motor track impassable to traffic. Since Sunday night snow has fallen almost incessantly, with tho major fall last night and this morning. Last night 3ft. fell in a few hours. Two guides, Messrs. S. Arthur and R. Sole, live in the Old House, and when Mr. Arthur opened the front door this morning to go down to the hostel for breakfast ho was confronted by a wall of snow over which he could not see. He shouldered his way out, and, using his arms to prevent him sinking, made his way to tho hostel. Tho distance is less than 150 yards, but it took him 20 minutes, and he was up to his armpits in snow all tho way. Roof of Shed Collapses At the hostel tho snow reached to near tho top of the verandah poles, while there were occasional drifts of nearly 10ft. Tho engine shed at tho back of tho hostel housos a largo stock of firewood, but the weight of the snow was so great that the roof crashed in, completely burying the wood. Part of the garage roof also caved in. Over part of the main roof of tho hostel 2ft. of snow was piled. Telephone communication was satisfactory at an early hour this morning, but shortly afterward a heavilyburdened bough broke and snapped the telephone wires. A breakdown party left New Plymouth immediately, and was able to effect repairs, the break fortunately being only a short distance up tho track. Yesterday some concern was felt by the occupants of the hostel, Mr. R. Wood, manager, Mrs. Wood, Miss B. Wood and Mr. H. Wood and Miss M. Williamson, as food supplies were becoming low. The two guides, Messrs. Arthur and Sole, set out in a truck and managed to reach the radius line, four miles away. On the return trip, however, the lorry had travelled only a mile* when it skidded into a ditch. There was no chance of digging it out under the conditions, and the two men packed as much of the provisions as they could carry. Their task was a difficult one, but they reached tho hostel after a long and arduous journey. The remainder of tho provisions were hidden in the snow, which smothered the lorry. Skis Used by Guides This morning the track was quite impassable to traffic and Messrs. Arthur and Sole made several trips on skis to bring up further provisions. At the hostel the collapse of the engine shed roof had trapped the firewood supplies, and strenuous efforts were made to collect further supplies and several days' firing was gathered to-day. The weather cleared at mid-day today and to-night the snow started to freeze. This, it is hoped, will improve conditions by putting a Tiard crust on the snow. Early to-morrow morning the north committee of the Park Board will employ two tractors to proceed up tho track from the radius line in an attempt to open the way for wheeled traffic. \ The Dawson Falls hostel was isolated this morning, telephone communication having been broken, probably owing to a falling tree. Tho track was impassable to traffic. The Stratford Hou.se is also snowed in, the average depth being five feet. The road there also is impassable to traffic. Snow fell at Waverley, Waipuku and Tariki last night, while fully two inches of hail lay on the streets of Stratford. Even in New Plymouth last night sleet fell. The Auckland express which arrived at New Plymouth this morning carried on tho roofs of tho carriages snow which it had accumulated-about Taumarunui.

IMPROVED CONDITIONS OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND BETTER IN CANTERBURY Press Association messages report improved conditions in Canterbury, Otago and Southland. The reports are as follows: — . Christchurch. —After rain overnight the weather improved and yesterday there was bright sunshine, with a southerly wind. There was still much snow on the inland route to Kaikoura, but elsewhere the traffic was proceeding uninterruptedly. Oamaru. —In the bright sun and under a cloudless sky the mountains west of Oamaru presented a beautiful sight yesterday morning. Heavy snow had fallen down to a very low level. A frost was experienced yesterday morning throughout the district and was followed by a mild northerly breeze, which thawed the surface of the snow. There was Sin. of snow at Omarama township and sheep were fed with chalf. Work on the construction of the Waitaki hydroelectric dam ceased for tho time being. The weather yesterday was beautifully fine, with a cold breeze. So far stock losses are not expected to be serious. Dunedin. —Tho weather was fine and the main road routes wore all clear for traffic yesterday. Several roads in the Central Otago district are still blocked :m<l it will bo several days before the snow disappears. Invereargill.—Practically all the snow on the low-lying areas in Southland had vanished and conditions nere more settled. Some streams overflowed their lwinks, causing inconvenience to motor traffic, but all bus services were running. In the higher country between Lumsden and Kingston, and also at Te Anau, the road was still blocked by snow. Tho weather was clear and mildor.

COLD IN AUCKLAND SQUALLS FROM THE SOUTH WIND DROPS IN AFTERNOON Auckland experienced a southerly gale yesterday morning. There wore driving squalls of rain and hail and people went to work under leaden skies and in tho teeth of a piercingly cold wind. Later conditions moderated and toward noon the sun broke through. The afternoon was fairly fine and, although the cold snap persisted, the wind had dropped appreciably by evening. Tho minimum temperature in the shade for the 24 hours ended at 9 a.m. yesterday was 41 degrees. Tho thermometer reading at Albert Park, at 9 a.m. was 46 degrees, and by noon it had risen to 58 degrees. Tho barometer, which has been low for several days at 29.50 m., has been rising steadHy since Tuesday night, and at midnight tho reading was 30.00 in.