SOUTHLAND FROSTS BREAK ALL RECORDS

Chronicle (Levin), 5 July 1947, Page 2

SOUTHLAND FROSTS BREAK ALL RECORDS

-Press Association

By Telearavh-

J- INVERCARGILL, July 4. Probably fche lveaviest frost ever recorded in or near Invercargill, was experieneed at the airport this morning when 20.2 degrees were reeorded. Tlie reading in the city was 18 degrees, only one degree below the heaviest frost on record for Invercargill. Frost readings in Invercargill tliis week have been as follow: Monday 19 degrees, Tuesday 14, Wednesday 11, Thursday 15£, Friday 18. Even indoor therinometers were at a low level this morning. One stood at freezing point, the lowest it has ever been. If it had fallen a little further a frost inside the house would have been registered. There were a few instances of burst pipes this afternoon but plumbers stated that the pipes had to thaw before a burst could be detected. One plumber had received calls to about a dozen houses. Some householders had trouble with the hot water system. This was caused by water in the cistern freezing. 'Many people are now taking precautions and binding all exposed pipes with sacks or similar material. Little radiator trouble was reported to the city garages, the opinion being that most motorists were now using anti-freeze mixtures. Some garages had trouble with greasing plants when the grease became too thick beeause of the low temperatures, to go through the guns. Some petrol pumps were blocked by ice. The cold weather caused moisture to enter the pumps and when this froze the pump had to be taken down and cleaned. These cases are generally conlined to country districts. The frosts have set back the city milk supply and the position is almost acute. Ilowever, it is not considered likely that rationing will be necessary. June, July and August are always difflcult months foi milk vendors who have to provide carefully for their requirements about this time. The frosts have added to the usual difficulties, especially in the case of winter feed'and this lias reduced the supply of milk. Pieces of ice were found in the milk yesterday._ Beeause of the heavy frosts and hard state of the ground, a ploughing matcli wliich was to have been held at Druummond tomorrow, has been postponed. Some Rugby matches may also be postponed. Some primarv schools have ex-perienc-ed heating difficulties. In most cases the rooms are centrally heated but power euts in the morning stop the pumps which drive the water from the boilers through the radiators. School heating has always been a problem, especiallv in the older schools with big corridors and high ceiling. The heavy frost and power cuts have aecentuated this difficulty considerably. — i