REAL WINTER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23103, 30 July 1938, Page 12

REAL WINTER

CANTERBURY REPORTS TRAFFIC DISORGANISED LOSSES OF STOCK FEARED [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION*] CHRISTCnURCR, Friday Falls of snow during tho night spread a whito mantle over tho city and brought tho first real winter conditions of tho year. There wero a few light falls during the day, but bright sunshine had melted most of the snow in tho city by late in the afternoon. The snow has caused disorganisation of traflie on most main routes and will givo trouble to farmers. 'The lines of tho Post and Telegraph Department and of the power authorities have also suffered somo damage, but otherwise the effect of tho storm has not been serious. Tho falls vary from several feet in depth on higher country to some inches on plains, but tho storm seems to have covered most of Canterbury from tho hills to the coast. Tho snow has been general in the south and the result of tho storm'extends well into the North Canterbury area. Snow was still falling last night in some parts, but in others tho weather showed signs of clearing. Sharp frosts wero expected and severe cold will probably bo experienced during tho week-end. Falls of a foot or two are reported from the higher country and there ■will probably be heavy losses of stock. The fall at Waimatc and Geraldino in the south is reported to bo the heaviest for about 20 years. Tho Mackenzie country, which has experienced particularly severe conditions this winter, is again'under heavy snow and the winter is proving a most arduous one. At Porter's Pass several cars had to bo abandoned. It is reported that Avoca and Staircase had up to a foot of snow. At Hanmer Springs a foot of snow was lying to-night, and it was still snowing, although there wero signs of the weather clearing.

HAWKE'S BAY STORM HEAVY SNOW INLAND TREES FALL UNDER WEIGHT RAIN IN COASTAL AREAS [Br TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] HASTINGS, Friday TIIO -whole of the Hawkc's Bay Province experienced wintry weather to-dav. Jit various parts there were heavy falls of snow, Dannevirke, Waipukurau and Norsewood being a\ ol 1 covered. At Hastings and Napier there were heavy falls of rain throughout the day and at times it appeared that there would lie further serious flooding, but the rain ceased to-night. The heaviest fall of snow was between Argyll East and Tikokino. It was reported that Sin. had fallen there during the day and to-nighb snow was still falling. The roads in the area were in a bad state, but not completely blocked. A report from Dannevirke stated that by 10 o'clock 6in. of snow bad fallen since four o'clock. Tho whole of the surrounding country was covered to a good depth and numbers of trees were unable to support the weight of the snow, and fell to the ground,

The roads round Dannevirke were covered and tlio fall was of sufficientdepth to hold np cars.

Even heavier falls of snow than those experienced at Dannevirke were reported from Norsewood and Matamau. The hill leading into Norsewood was almost impassable. Snow began to fall there at 4 p.m. and was still falling late to-night.

TRACES IN WELLINGTON COLDEST DAY OF YEAR [3T TELECRArH —PKKSS ASSOCIATION] "WELLINGTON, Friday Wellington experienced the coldest day of the winter to-day with frequent light rain squalls. Snow fell in the T'imutaka JLangcs, causing motorists some difficulty. Light snow fell in Knrori and other high parts of the citv.

REPORT FROM THE CHATEAU GOOD SKI-ING CONDITIONS Snow fell at tho Chateau, National Park, yesterday, and the conditions for ski-ing during the week-end, it is stated, will bo good. The Tongariro Ski Club's competitions will be held during the week-end and on Monday, while to-morrow there will bo contests for tho Mitchell Cup.