Severe Stock Losses Are Feared

Chronicle (Levin), 21 July 1949, Page 3

Severe Stock Losses Are Feared

" (N.Z.P.A.-

—Reuter.

Covvriaht)

Received Wednesday 7.20 p.m. SYDNEY, July 20. Record falls of snow over many parts of New South Wales, have isolated towns, brought transport to a standstil! and caused heavy sfoek losses. Grazinug areas in southwest New' South Wales are feet under snow and crippling shee]) losses are feared by graziers who have found it impossible to get through to flocks in outlying parts of their stationSi In the southern tablelands main roads are bloeked by deep. drifts and the railway between Nimmitabel and Bombala is impassable. The big country centre of Coomba is paralysed with deep drifts blocking the. main stree't and hundreds of ears are buried. All approaches are unusable and the only communication with the outside world is by two remaining telephone lines. The most prolonged snowfall on record closed the Canberra aerodrome but Mr Chifley and Dr. Evatt left there iu the Governor-General's plane for coai eonferences in Sydney. Dr. Evatt eommented • to Mr Chiefley before departure: "I have flown many thousands of 'miles but this is the worst flying weather I have ever experieneed. ' ' When they stepped from the plane at Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney, Mr Chifley said: "Scott's expedition retutns." When Pressmen asked them about the visit, Dr. Evatt countered: "He is silent in five languages. ; ' In- Sydney where the power restrictions prohibit use of4gas or eleetric radiators and wood fuel is now very searce, the maximum temperature at noon was 49.5 degrees— rthe lowest for July since 1868. The forecast is for continued snow and cold winds. Orange has experieneed the heaviest fall for 30 years and the main street is lined with Sydney bound emergency transport trucks which cannot proceed further, ; Sq^rpjh ^piirties from the mining townsitip ' bf Captain 's Flat, seeking a young man reported lost in the snow during a himting jrip fouiid him sheltering in a chvet,. ' ^ >-