HEAVY SNOWFALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23401, 18 July 1939, Page 8

HEAVY SNOWFALL

HAWKE'S BAY AREAS COLDEST FOR MANY YEARS SETBACK TO YOUNG LAMBS PASTURE GROWTH CHECKED [by telegraph —OWN correspondent] HASTINGS, Monday Snow fell heavily throughout Central Havvke's Bay for up to three hours after eight o'clock this morning, a few flakes falling as near the coastline as Napier and Hastings. Residents of long standing in the district express the opinion that to-day's conditions were the coldest for 30 or 40 years. Falls up to seven inches were registered on the plains and more on the foothills and ranges. Severe snowstorms are still raging in the liuahines anc Kaiwakas, and it is possible that it there is a sudden thaw rivers generally will rise, with possible flooding. The fall lasted for up to three hours in certain parts of the district, but by afternoon most of the snow had disappeared on the flats. The higher hills, however, still retained a liberal coating. Stock on the flats did not a PP c^ r to be greatly troubled by the bitterly cold conditions, but in the actual snow region sheep were tucked up. The present cold snap is too early o affect the main crop of lambs in Hawko's Bay, for the lambing season proper will not start for another three or four weeks yet. However, in exposed areas, where there is an absence of shelter, young lambs are likely to receive a setback, and heavy losses of early lambs are expected. Until the cold snap experienced a little over a week ago there haa been a definite growth of feed on top-dresse and sheltered farms, lhe cold conditions which set m about 1 days ago, folloW by several hard frosts, will have given a check to growth which will only be further aggravated by the present cold. COLD IN MANAWATU HILLS HEAVILY COATED LOW LEVELS REACHED RAIN ADDS TO DIFFICULTIES [by telegraph—own correspondent] PALMERSTON NORTH. Monday Snow which was carried by a strong wind made conditions exceedingly co on the hills south and east of Palmerston North this morning, a fall upward of an inch in depth being experienced between daylight and 9 a.m. The coating all along the hills could dearly be seen from the city. Heavy ram fell in Palmerston North and on the lulls last night. The temperature in the city at 9 a.m. to-day was as low as 38 degrees. Snow commenced to fall about daylight in the Manawatu Gorge. It was thick on the ground and the lulls in the vicinity were heavily covered. The fall was 3in. deep in the Kumeraoa district and motorists were warned to proceed with care. Snow was still falling at Aokautere. at. 11 o clock this morning and was down to the 500 ft. level, which is the lowest it has been for several years. dannevirke district THIRD FALL IN FORTNIGHT [BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION] DANNEVIRKE, Monday The third fall of snow within a fortnight occurred at Dannevirke and the surrounding district this morning, lasting from 6.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. without intermission. The depth varied from three to four inches in many places, and in some country localities falls of six and seven inches were reported. THE RIMUTAKA ROUTE DIFFICULTY FOR MOTORISTS [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] "WELLINGTON, Monday Snow fell on the summit of the Rimutaka Road last night and early this morning, and caused trouble for motorists using the road who were not prepared for such conditions. The fall was not as heavy as that of the previous week-end and affected the load , for only about a mile on either side of the summit. The Automobile Association (Wellington), was advising motorists to avoid the Rimutaka route early to-day, but the Public Works Department broke a track through the hard snow by sending a heavy lorry equipped with chains over the road. All the hills on the eastern side of Wellington Harbour and the Hutt Valley bore a dusting of snow to-day, but it was seen only through brief gaps in the clouds. HEAVIEST OP YEAR FALL AT CHRISTCHURCH [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] CHRISTCHURCH, Monday The.heaviest snowfall in Christchurch this year began about 8 p.m., and snow was still falling steadily at 9.30. Tlio streets were carrying a mushy covering and the river banks, gardens and grass plots throughout the city were already covered at least an inch deep. Later in the night the fall became more intermittent. ASHBURTON COUNTY FROST OF 21 DEGREES [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] ASHBURTON, Monday Heavy snow fell on the higher levels of Ashburton county yesterday afternoon, there being inches at Methven and six at Mount Somers, with only a light fall in the borough. There was a frost of 21i degrees at Metliven this morning, the day being lino.