STORM DAMAGE

Southland Times, Issue 25311, 14 June 1935, Page 7

STORM DAMAGE

POWER GANGS BUSY RICCARTON RACECOURSE CLOSED TRACKS UNDER SNOW (Per United Press Association.) Christchurch, June 13. A remarkable position still obtains in the Upper Riccarton district as the result of Sunday’s snow storm. Though repair gangs have been working all hours of the day and night the power supply in certain areas is still cut off. Many residents are carting water from the water races, are depending on candles for lighting and are cooking over wood fires. Electric pumps are useless and the water remains frozen in the tanks. This morning, for instance, several well-known trainers had to melt snow over open fireplaces and then turn the sitting room fireplaces into cooking fires to provide meals. Training operations on the Riccarton course are impossible. The position is improving slightly to-day with regard to electricity. This morning the gates at the racecourse remained closed and it would have been useless to open them for the whole course is under snow. From present indications trainers will be lucky if there are any galloping facilities at headquarters earlier than today week. A heavy fall of rain would help so far as the sand track is concerned. It is the most serious hold up Riccarton. trainers have experienced for many years. Even road work has to be done cautiously with the heavy frosts helping to make the roads slippery. Had this been the week preceding the Grand National the effect would have been disastrous. SEVERE FROSTS ASHBURTON DISTRICT. (Per United Press Association.) Ashburton, June 13. Although much of the snow experienced on Sunday has disappeared under bright sunshine, the process has been retarded by severe frosts, 18 degrees to-day following 17 yesterday. Eighteen degrees is the highest since 1911, when 19 was recorded. MEAT FREEZING RESUMED KAIAPOI SITUATION RELIEVED. (Per United Press Association.) Christchurch, June 13. Tlie situation that developed at the North Canterbury Farmers’ Freezing Works at Kaiapoi through the collapse of two sets of poles bearing the main 11,000-volt power line during the snowstorm early in the week has now been relieved. It was stated this morning by an official of the company that power to the works was connected up again last evening, and everything was going on as usual this morning. RECORD FROST SIXTEEN DEGREES IN HASTINGS. (Per United Press Association.) Hastings, June 13. A frost of 16 degrees was registered in Hastings this morning, equal to last winter’s record low temperature, which was the lowest known here, at least since official observations _ began. The frost was followed by bright sunshine and a beautiful clear day. LOW TEMPERATURES RECORDINGS AT WELLINGTON. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, June 13. Yesterday’s minimum temperature in Wellington descended to 31.8, the lowest since the Meteorological Station was shifted to Kelburn in 1928. This was followed by a frosty night, Kelburn showing a minimum grass temperature of 22.5 degrees or nine and a-half below freezing point which is the lowest at Kelburn since September 7, 1931, when it was 22.2. The lowest ever recorded is 22 degrees. Lower recordings used to be got on the flat at Thorndon, but they are not fair comparisons. The Hutt Valley, which often experiences heavy frosts, was two degrees warmer than Wellington.