THE RECENT SNOWSTORM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14281, 1 August 1908, Page 10

THE RECENT SNOWSTORM

AN UNFAVOURABLE OUTLOOK. (Fr.ou Our Own Correspondent.) OAMARU; July 31. Frosts coming on top of a fresh fall of snow »t tho beginning of this week are not improving matters in the snow-hound country, and the prospects are not so good as they were a week ago, when rather milder weather gave promise of an early thaw. Tho tracks are now in a very tad eon'dition. and oven Itorsea that aro specially shot} oeino down frequently on the frozen snow. No coaches have been got through to Omarama yet, and none aro likely, to ge.t through for several" days. Communication is slow, and news of tho actual condition of the flocks is scarce. . 1%) snow seems to have been patchy, tho worst apparently being the country between Naseby and Livingstone, and northwards into the Mackenzie Country. On refiable information I am led to believe that Longslip, Omarama, Otematata, and Waitsngi aro not eo bad as was feared, but Benmoro and the runs southward of the Kurow to Omarama road aro sufferingseverely. In the Hakataramea Valley, especially at the north end. I learn that the losses are likely to bo very heavy, and tho Ben Lomond group of smaller runs is also prolt'y had. Several r.unholders there aro severe sufferers. As previously mentioned, tho sheep on most of the- smaller .run&about Kurow w>>re got out just after tho first fall, ojkl they aro bqing fed neat Kurow, and in other oases tho owners- aro packing feed to their flocks on_ mules and horses. ' A confmuance of tho ntesont conditions would bo very serious for some of thess even, but actual figures cannot be given and are not likely to bo available vntil shearing' tallies are made up. At present the cold is intense, and cannot ho appreciated near tho coast.