BIRDS FROZEN.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20360, 18 July 1934, Page 5

BIRDS FROZEN.

Effect of Severe Cold in Central Otago. SNOW-COVERED COUNTRY. (Special to the “ Star.”) DUNEDIN, July 18. This winter has been a severe oife in Central Otago. For the last fortnight a thick mantle of snow has covered most parts of the country, and dams and pools are covered with thick ice. In many homes water pipes have burst and birds have been frozen while perching in trees. On one occasion a sparrow was frozen to a branch by its tail, and after being liberated flew away with an icicle on its tail feathers. Housewives, however, are the greatest sufferers. For instance, when they are washing a floor the water scnTetimes freezes before it can be wiped up with the cloth. All the goldmining claims, many of which are in the middle of important development work on the Shotover, have harl to suspend operations temporarily. Frosts of over 20 degrees have been registered. In the country at the back of Queenstown the temperature has gone below zero. Taps are left running in basins and baths, and ice forms on the sides. Where a tan is dripping thick icicles form, and milk freezes in the jugs. In Queenstown Park the pond is frozen over completely, and ice-skating is being enjoyed as well as tobogganing over the snow-covered streets.

Thousands of Sheep Perish.

' I’*r Press Association. INVERCARGILL. July 17. It is reported that during the rcc nt heavy fall of snow in the Mossburn district from 3000 to 5000 sheep perished on the Burwood Station, the property of Messrs W. E. and J. S. Hazlett.