GREYMOUTH SHIVERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23886, 14 August 1939, Page 7

GREYMOUTH SHIVERS

A HEAVY SNOWSTORM LOW TEMPERATURES PREVAIL (Special ro Daii/v Times) GREYMOUTH, Aug. 13. During the week-end Greymouth shivered in a snowstorm, the third in about 50 years, and the second in eight years. About 11.30 a.m. yesterday, after several hours of bright sunshine, the temperature dropped suddenly from 42 to below 36 degrees and a heavy fall of snow began which lasted until 3 p.m., when the sun shone again from a bright blue sky. More heavy falls took place at 5 p.m., during the night, and again thia morning and afternoon. Country Thickly Coated The town and the surrounding hills were quickly and thickly coated in white, and many adults and children indulged in what for them was the very unusual sport of snowballing "in the streets. Apart from the snow lying in sheltered places, most of the snow melted this afternoon, and no serious damage has been reported Yesterday, all outdoor sports fixtures at Greymouth were postponed. Reports from the country districts show that the fall has bee.i general, and fairly heavy from the Southern Alps to the coastal areas, From Rotomanu to Stillwater, the fall was the heaviest for 42 years. At Otira snuw fell on Friday, yesterday, and again to-day. The fall at Hikitika yesterday was fairly heavy, and to-day, although no snow fell, the town was thicklv coated. Communications Intact The back country near Hokitika and the low-lying hills to the Alps were heavily covered, presenting a magnificent sight. At Harihari and other parts of South Westland the fall was heavier. Snow fell yesterday also at Jackson's Bay in the far south. Communications by road, railway, telephone, and telegraph, so far as is known, have not been interrupted. To-night at Greymouth is bitterl* cold, and the sky is overcast, but. snow has stopped temporarily at least.