STILL ISOLATED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21845, 6 July 1934, Page 12

STILL ISOLATED

HOSTELS ON EGMONT CLEARING NORTH SIDE TRACTOR AND GRADER USED SEVERITY OF CONDITIONS [by telegraph—own correspondent] NEW PLYMOUTH. Thursday After a strenuous day's work to-day it is expected that tho motor-track to tho North Eemont Hostel will be opened to traffic to-morrow, ending the isolhtion caused by tho severe snowstorm. The other two hostels, at Stratford and Dawson Falls, are still isolated, and as no steps have been taken to clear those tracks, further delay must occur before complete communications are restored. Tho fall has been so heavy that the thaw will bo slow. Men under the charge of Mr. S. C. Judd, Inglewood County engineer, with a tractor and a heavy power grader, began the work of clearing tho North Egmont track early this morning. From tho hostel end, tho guides, Messrs. S. Arthur and 11. Sole, proceeded alonu tlio track on skis, removing many boughs and small trees which, through tho weight of snow, had crashed across the track. This was a strenuous work, and the county workmen had an equally arduous task in clearing back the snow to a width sufficient for a ear to pass.

Progress was made with the tractor and. grader until a point half-a-milo from the hostel. Hero the depth of snow proved too great for the grader, and the tractor proceeded alone to the hostel, beating down as much of the snow as possible on the track and around the hostel. This, it is hoped, will permit tho grader to bo brought to the hostel to-morrow morning, and on the downhill grade it is expected the grader will he able to clear the snow to a sufficient width for cars. Only Slight Thaw

Fine weather to-day caused only tho slightest thaw at tha hostel, but the occupants have taken advantage of the improved conditions to make tracks through the snow. Early yesterday morning Miss N. Williamson, an employee at the hostel, was imprisoned by snow in a small annex, where she sleeps at the back of the hostel. Mr. H. Wood, hostel manager, and Messrs. Arthur and Sole immediately set about digging a cutting through the snow, which was well over their heads. They bad worked for some time when they realised that they still had a long way to go, and Mr. Sole, putting on skis, made his way over the top of the snow to the annex and liberated Miss Williamson, carrying her back to the hostel. With suliicient food in the hostel lor a few days, tho greatest necessity yesterday was firewood, which had been trapped by the collapse of the shed roof. The roof was raised to-day sufficiently high to allow the stock of firewood to be drawn upon.

The people at tho hostel received an unexpected visit this morning from a Western Federated aeroplane piloted by Flying-Officer Keith. Tho aeroplane flew up direct from New Plymouth and circled over the hostel. Mr. Keith dropped a parcel of newspapers, which landed on one of the trees in the front of the hostel. Mr. Wood reached the tree on skis and dislodged the bundle with snowballs. Dawson Falls Hostel

Owing to the depth of snow and the breaking of the telephone lines the Dawson Falls Hostel is still cut off from the outside world. However, communication was established for a short period yesterday afternoon, when it was learned" that six feet of snow lay about the hostel. The snowstorm of Tuesday night was described as the worst ever known on the mountain. A hard frost at the Stratford House last night prevented any degree of thaw commencing. This morning.it was stated by Mr. A. Haldane, the manager, that the track was still impassable, and it was likely to remain so for vehicles for at least a week, as no steps were being to clear the snow. Many boughs ami trees in the bush were giving way under the weight of snow. "1 have never seen bush smashed up so badly," said Mr. Haldane. "It looks as though some giant has been here. Trees which looked good for another 50 years havo snapped off as though they had been chopped through." A motor-car which tried to reach the Stratford House on Tuesday got within a mile of its goal, but could go neither up nor down. After Tuesda.v night's blizzard only the hood was protruding from the snow.

ROADS ABOUT TAUPO CLEAR FOR MOTOR TRAFFIC SEVERE FROST EXPERIENCEDNo further snow was reported at Taupo yesterday, although there was a light frill on the higher levels on Wednesday night. A severe frost was experienced yesterday morning and in many cases taps did not thaw out until nearly mid-day. The motor services between Taupo "and Napier which had been interrupted the day beforo were resumed yesterday, although the cars arrived at Taupo an hour and a-half late. There was still a considerable amount of snow in the vicinity of Rangitaiki and To Haroto and cars had to bo equipped with chains. • , Cars were able to come through from Turangi to Taupo without much difficulty and the Tnupo-Rotorua Road,.although slippery, was quite passable with careful driving.

RIMUTAKA HILLS MOTORISTS SNOWBOUND [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] CARTERTON, Thursday Conditions on the Riinutaka Hills are still dangerous for motor traffic as the heavy covering of snow was frozen Inst night, and the surface this morning was very slippery. Last night no fewer than 20 people spent the night sitting round the fire in the Summit tearoom, while some 15 other car owners were stuck on the hill lower down and spent the night in their cars. MANAWATU DISTRICT NO FURTHER FALLS OCCUR [BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION] PALMERSTON NORTH. Thursday Following heavy snowfalls in the high country at Pohangina, Apiti and adjacent districts, the weather is much improved and conditions are steadily returning to normal. Snow is disappearing on the lower hill levels, the thaw having swollen the Manawatu River considerably. A stiff frost was experienced in the district this morning, but no further snow fell except among the ranges. '