FALL OF SNOW

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20130, 10 June 1935, Page 6

FALL OF SNOW

PLAINS RECEIVE HEAVY COATING

SERVICES DISORGANISED The heavy snow which fell in North Canterbury last evening was responsible for a breakdown of the telegraph service between Christchurch and Timaru. Linesmen followed the excursion train on specially equipped jiggers locating and repairing faults, but at a late hour last night had not completed their task. All the trouble occurred between Christchurch and Ashburton. The Telegraph Department made a big effort to cope with the emergency. Messages received in Wellington for Timaru and stations further south were wirelessed to Awarua and then transmitted by the land wires. The arrangement, however, was not entirely satisfactory for the volume of work was too great to be handled by the single operator at the radio station, and at 3 o'clock this morning he was released from duty. South Canterbury received its first taste of really wintry weather yesterday when a snow storm covered the district and surrounding hills in a mantle of white. The fall was not very great in Timaru and along the coast, but it increased in severity as one travelled inland and was particularly heavy at the Hermitage and Tekapo. The weather broke in Timaru on Saturday afternoon, when a strong nor’-west wind sprang up and gradually veered round to the sou’-west increasing in velocity until late in the afternoon it reached gale force. The wind brought light rain with it, and when yesterday morning broke a steady drizzle was falling. Those conditions continued until early in the afternoon when heavy rain set in, continuing until about 4.30. At that hour, with a sudden drop in temperature, the downpour gave place to sleet, which quickly changed to snow and at intervals the fall was heavy. After the rain, however, the snow did not lie for any length of time, but the fall continued steadily until about 9 o’clock last night when there was an abatement. During the afternoon, when the rain storm was at its height, gutters in the borough carried large volumes of water, but no cases of flooding were reported. Snow was general throughout South Canterbury, although the fall was only just sufficient to turn the countryside white. The foothills, however, received a liberal sprinkling and at Bluecliffs two inches of snow were reported. The fall was heaviest in the backcountry, more than 12 inches being recorded at the Hermitage up to 8 o’clock last night, when snow had ceased, giving place to a strong wind. The depth of snow decreased between the Hermitage and Pukaki, but at Tekapo nearly five inches had fallen at 8 o’clock and it was still snowing. The countryside from Tekapo to Fairlie was liberally coated and in Fairlie itself two inches lay on the ground. Heavy rain fell in the upper reaches of the Waitaki River yesterday and, as a result, a large body of water had backed up in the newly formed lake at the dam. Snow began to fall about 4 o’clock in the afternoon and by 8 o’clock last night one inch was recorded at Kurow, but heavier falls were apparent on the hills. Following the drizzling rain which commenced during Saturday night and continued, accompanied by low temperatures throughout yesterday morning, snow commenced to fall at Temuka at 3.30 p.m. yesterday. In spasmodic showers it continued until the late evening and by 10 o’clock half an inch had fallen. Trees were heavily laden and in the lee of hedges miniature drifts several inches in depth collected, while on the roads the snow soon made the surface slushy. Early last evening the Temuka and Opihi Rivers were carrying little more than their normal volume of water. Passengers by the excursion train from Christchurch last night had a most unusual experience. Snow was falling when the train left the city, and as the journey proceeded the snow became heavier. The whole countryside was mantled, the depth ranging from four to eight inches. At each stopping place snowballing was indulged in, and a battle royal took place at Tinw T ald, the passing place of the north and south trains. The snow thinned out at Orari and put a stop to the sport. More than one Timaru party returning from Christchurch by car last night had the misfortune to be bogged on the main road below Ashburton. The highway is being prepared for sealing in the spring, and the loosening effect of the rain and snow on the now construction was responsible for the trouble. After being hauled out at least two of the parties returned to Ashburton and completed the homeward journey by train.

HEAVIEST FALL FOR YEARS AT INVERCARGILL

By Telegraph—Press Association INVERCARGILL, June 9. Invercargill is at present coated with snow, the fall in the city being the heaviest for some years. The weather yesterday was cold and stormy, and all outdoor sports in Invercargill had to be postponed, although Rugby was played under adverse conditions in some of the country centres. Snow commenced to fall in the early hours 'T this morning, and at daybreak there were two inches on the ground. Further snow fell during the day and by the early afternoon there were nearly three inches. Snowballing was freely indulged in during the day, the Queen’s Park golf links being the scene of some merry battles. Reports from the back country state that the falls there were very light, some places, notably Te Anau and Mossburn, having none at all.