A HEAVY SNOWFALL.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1785, 3 November 1919, Page 11

A HEAVY SNOWFALL.

BACK AREAS AFFECTED.

LARGE LOSSES AMONGST SHEEP.

Snow has fallen over most of the high country in Canterbury, and on some of the lower levels, and the consequences, more especially where sheep have just been shorn, are likelv to be serious. This reversion to winter conditions which has ushered in November seems the culmination of weather "troubles which have affected the pastoralist this spring, and in several areas the fall of snow is the heaviest recorded for November over a period of 30 years. From the agricultural viewpoint the crops and grasses will benefit exceedingly by the rain which has fallen over the areas not visited by snow.

I In the city, dull and threatening weather was the case- throughout most of yesterday. Light showers in the afternoon developed into a downpour which lasted throughout the night. At 9 a.m. to-day .879 in were registered. Although the weather was cold and the wind strong, the storm was more pronounced in the country districts, and the effect of the sou'-wester was felt over most of Canterbury. At Ashburton snow began to fall shortly before 8 p.m. yesterday. At 10 p.ni. one and a-half inches were registered, and bv midnight, three inches. At 9 a.m. to-day 173 points of rain and snow water were registered at the Domain station. Further back the snow was more severe. At Mayfield there were five inches, at Mount Somers eight inches, and at the Homestead there were 12 inches. Eight inches were recorded at Springburn. In these districts the fall is the heaviest during November for a period of 30 years. At Methven seven inches fell. The snow line extends out back in an unbroken line to past Parnassus in North Canterbury. Springfield and Darfield received six and three inches respectively, whilst the Banks Peninsula ihills are generously coated. In North Canterbury rain was the general rule on the lower levels. Mount Grey was visited by the south-west snowstorm, however, and from all indications the snow there is thick. In Rangiora itself about two inches fell overnight, but had disappeared by the morning as the rain was heavy, gauges registering over two inches. There is no snow on the Amberley flats. Further north, four inches fell on part of the Oxford plains, and towards Lees Valley the snow lies thick on the hills. It began to fall about 8 p.m. yesterday, but, near Parnassus, where the lower slopes of the hills are untouched, flakes fell at 4 p.m. The snow extends through the Cheviot hills.

As to the effect on slock, shearing has been in progress in Canterbury for two or three weeks and wet sheep off the shears will suffer severely, much more indeed than dry sheep. In the back country where lambing, is finishing, the mortality amongst the lambs may be heavy. But in the front districts they are well forward and should stand the snap fairly well. In the Ashburton district the effect on the stock is not expected to be especially severe, for shearing has not yet got into full swing. But in common with other districts, shearing will now be delayed. The rain will benefit the agricultural and pastoral land where lack of moisture had been greatly retarding growth. At Darfield and Springfield shearing has been in progress about a fortnight, and losses of stock are inevitable. But the lambs are fairly forward and should resist the cold conditions well. Back of Amberley and Rangiora the snow is expected to be very hard on the shorn sheep. The same remark applies to Oxford, where shearing commenced a week ago, but matters are more hopeful towards Parnassus. In few cases should the snow remain long on the ground the damage will be caused by the sudden cold snap. BROKEN WIRES. TELEGRAPHIC INTERRUPTIONS. Apparently the storm has been more severe in the southern districts and telegraphic interruptions have occurred there. It is quite the exception, as in the-present case, for northern lines to escape when the southern ones suffer, as in the north they are more exposed. The wires were down this morning between Rolleston and Rakaia, and at Orari, between Ashburton and Timaru, a tree fell across the line with disastrous results. However, a very imperfect communication was established with one "shaky" wire, and, it is expected that matters will be largely remedied this afternoon.

TROUBLE WITH COLERIDGE. The storm has caused further trouble in connection with the Lake Coleridge hydro-electric system. Last evening telephone communication with the power-house was interrupted, a report being that 9in of snow had fallen at the lake. About 10.30 p.m. lights in the city began to flicker, but the current soon resumed again. However, this morning the north transmission line became defective, but power was cjuicklv switched on to the south line, with only an interval of a break of a minute or so in the city. The

Fublic Works Denartment has not yet been advised as to the full extent of the trouble. SNOW IN TIMARU. Press Association. TIMARU, November 3. A sudden change of weather was experienced yesterday morning when.rain set in and continued all day, followed by snow at 4 p.m. In some parts of South Canterbury the fall was considerable, and will do much damage to gardens and orchards, especially if followed byfrost. GALE IN WAIRARAPA. GREAT BUSH-FIRE RAGING. Press Association. WELLINGTON, November 3. A northerly gale swept Wellington during the week-end. It was particularly severe in the Wairarapa district. Masterton suffered a good deal of damage, trees being uprooted, shop windows broken and in one case crockery blown out on to the street through the broken plate glass windows.

A fire started in the bush on the Tararua Ranges in the afternoon at Kaituna. The Masterton Fire Brigade was dispatched, and is fighting the flames. The whole range appeared to be on fire late last night.

HUGE RING OF FIRE.

Press Association.

DANNEVIRKE, November 3. A tremendous westerly gale, the worst experienced for many years, raged throughout southern Hawke's Bay on, Sunday night. Isolated log fires were fanned into activity, and, despite the greenness of the countryside, spread with alarming rapidity. Dannevirke town was the centre of a ring of fires at Terehunga, 'Rua Roa, Umutaoroa, Matamau, and Pin Piri. At Tiratu the settlers were up all night protecting their homesteads and stock. In some cases the outsheds were destroyed, but so far no losses of homesteads have been reported. A bridge at Matamau on the main road to Napier was destroyed. Rain towards morning had a subduing effect on the wind and flames, but a heavy wind is still blowing. The gale at Matamau was the worst remembered. DAMAGE IN CARTERTON. Press Association. CARTERTON, November 3. The fiercest gale for many years raged last night. A few buildings were damaged by the wind, and the young stone fruits suffered severely. A LAUNCH MISSING.

[Special to The Sun.] "WANGANUL November 3. The district was visited by one of the severest storms experienced for several years past. Considerable destruction was suffered by gardens. Coastal shipping had a severe handling. , . 14 ' , Considerable anxiety is felt tor the safety of four men—three Natives, and a European, Jack Little, who left Wanganui at 6 a.m. on Thursday in the launch Kingfisher on a fishing The party intended to fish in the roadstead. They did not have enough food for a day's trip on board, and carried very little benzine. Hopes are entertained that the launch may have reached Kapiti Island, and is sheltering. There is also a possibility that the launch may have broken down, and is drifting in the Strait. If there is no news of the missing men to-day, the police will commence a search of the beaches. LOST HER RUDDER. Press Association. WANGANUI, November 3. The steamer Tropic reports having sighted the fishing launch Kingfisher, about which fears were entertained, six miles south-east of the river entrance. The launch signalled that she had lost a rudder, and requested to be reported. Arrangements are being made for a lighter to pick up the launch. The sea is still very heavy. WEATHER FORECAST. Wind: Southerly, strong to gale. , Weather: Cloudy and unsettled. Rain probable, and snow on high country. Hie night will probably be very cold. Barometer: Rising. THE RAINFALL. The following falls are reported by Sun correspondents:Akaroa ?.£J Mcthven M -