MANTLE OF SNOW.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20183, 11 March 1931, Page 9

MANTLE OF SNOW.

HEAVY FALL IN ENGLAND.

DISLOCATION OP TRAFFIC. (BRITISH QJFIOUfc WIBELESB.) (Received March 10th, 5.5 p.m.) RUGBY, March 9. London experienced the heaviest snowfall of the present winter to-day, which was the coldest in March for several years. The streets werei under snow from an early hour in the morning and by noon were buried to a depth of some inches. Traffio was slowed down and traffic noises were silenced.

Many accidents were caused by vehicles skidding, and some roads on the outskirts of London, including the two main roads to Southend, were impassable. * ■

Traffic was held u.p owing to ice and snow in the Midlands and North of England, where in 6ome places there were six feet drifts, and snow ploughs had to bo used to clear the streets in certain East Coast towns. There were remarkable scenes in London, where t.ho blizzard brought the frfcavy horse-drawn traffio to a standstill. The snow was tour or five inches deep: Under the mantle of snow, London, for a brief space, became a silent, enchanted city, imparting now lioa.uty to the familiar architectural gems. Within an hour, more than "a thousand men, mostly unemployed, attacked the city with brooms and shovels. The ceaseless traffic then converted tho snow into oceans of slush, > which: there were copious streams on the pavements. HURRICANE AT MAURITIUS.

WIPESPRIEAD DISTRESS CAUSED. SEVERE DAMAGE DONE. (Received March 10th, 5.5 p.m.) RUGBY, March 9.

A telegram from the Governor of Mauritius to the Secretary for Colonies says: "A preliminary inspection shows that tho hurricane damage is severe, causing widespread distress. A large number of small dwellings have been demolished and several thousands iof people are homeless. The heaviest damage is reported in Moka, and the western suburbs or Ji ort Lewis. Moka Hospital was badly damaged and will probably nave to bo evaouated. Temporary relief measures are in progress for feeding and ehel-, tering the homeless. The loss of life so far reported amounts to twelve, but the reports are incomplete, as the toacla ar© blookcd with debris/ damage to the cane crops, which wero s exceptionally promising. f is ' very severe."