FROST AND FOG OCCUR IN CITY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19109, 30 June 1930, Page 6

FROST AND FOG OCCUR IN CITY.

CAR DRIVERS HAVE DIFFICULTY IN TRAFFIC

Sharp frost and dense fog characterised the weather at Christchurch during the week-end. This morning 11.8 degrees of frost were recorded, while 12.0 degrees and 9.9 degrees were recorded on Sunday and Saturday respectively. Due to fog and light cloud, through which the sun’s rays were not able to pierce with any great warmth, the frost remained on the ground considerably longer than is usual, and this led many to believe that the frost was a good, deal harder than it actually The heaviest frost recorded this winter to date was 16.1 degrees on Sunday, June 22. Since March 11, frost has been recorded on fifty-five mornings in Christchurch, and of that total nineteen frosts have been of ten degrees and over. Traffic Difficulty in Fog. Dense banks of fog moved across the city from the sea last night, and between nine o’clock and ten o’clock occasioned great difficulty to traffic. Clear vision was only possible within the belts of the city for less than a chain, and drivers of vehicles had to exercise considerable care. The electric street lights were of little avail, appearing as only dull gleams. Over St Albans the fog was particularly heavy, and many cyclists going up Colombo and 'Manchester Streets preferred to get off their machines and walk rather than run the risk of accident. Motorists, in picking their way along the roads, had their horns sounding constantly, and there was a noise not unlike that heard at a seaport under similar conditions. Over Spreydon and the other districts near the hills, the fog was also very thick, passing from north to south in banks of varying density. Traffic along the Riccarton Road had great difficulty in making progress. Despite powerful lights of motor-cars, clear vision was restricted to a few yards, and some considered themselves fortunate in not making the mistake of getting off the road. The driver of a taxi who was picking his way slowly along this road had the experience of finding that he had got over on to the footpath, and only stopped his car in time to save it going through a thick hedge. Cycjjsts in Hagley Park found it impossible to keep on the tracks while riding, and for safety’s sake elected to walk. Papanui Road, between St Andrew’s College and Paparoa Street, where reconstruction of the tramline has caused a restriction of the thoroughfare to less than half its normal width, presented one of the most difficult problems that faced traffic during the fog. Extreme caution had to be exercised in keeping to the narrow space of roadway, and also in avoiding accidents. Fortunately, it being Sunday night, traffic was not heavy, and there was not the congestion that might have occurred had it been ail ordinary weeknight. It was the second dense fog experienced this winter.