SUN ON MOUNTAIN AGAIN

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1934, Page 4

SUN ON MOUNTAIN AGAIN

COLD, WINTRY CONDITIONS

STORM’S STRENGTH DIMINISHES.

HUGE DRIFTS AT MOUNT EGMONT.

THREAT OF FURTHER SNOWFALL.

Snowfall ceased at North Mount Egmont at midday yesterday, but last night clouds had again banked in the south and there was a threat of further heavy falls. Five-feet drifts are piled about the hostel, but the strong wind which moderated considerably yesterday had broken the snow on the level and prevented the accumulation of more than a foot. The road remained open, and a busload of visitors, mostly members of the J. C. Williamson theatrical company, was conveyed to within three-quarteis of a mile of the house. The visitors spent the afternoon ski-ing, tobogganing and snowballing. Several private motor-cars and motor-cycles were also successful in running the gauntlet of the two miles of snow-smothered road. The Dawson Falls hostel reports further heavy falls and the probability of more to come. The track was impassable, although one car managed to get within half a mile of the house yesterday. Heavy clouds enveloped the house, and for 60 hours the residents have not been able to see either the mountain or the plains. The sun broke through over East Egmont yesterday afternoon for the first tune in nearly three days, but heavy cloud came down shortly afterwards and intermittent scuds of snow began. . All houses report bitterly cold conditions, but so far no substantial damage to the reserve has been caused by the gale. . At New Plymouth yesterday the wind had moderated considerably, but the gusts were violent and extremely cold. Besides damage to garaens, early growing pastures in country districts have suffered a severe setback by the sudden winter conditions, and stock has been considerably affected, most dairy factories remarking a considerable drop in supplies of milk and cream.