Blizzard Hits South Island

Chronicle (Levin), 30 September 1949, Page 5

Blizzard Hits South Island

INVERCARGILL, Sept. 29. The storm which has held Southland in its grip since Saturday, is descril>ed by farmers in most districts as the worst blizzard at lambing time within memory. The losses in some districts are expected to be severe but at this stage it is not possible to estimate the numbers. Farmers who have shelter available have been able to retrieve the position to a large extent and dn not expect more than slight losses. In exposed paddocks and particularlv in hill country areas where sheds and shelter are not readily available, the losses are expected to be severe. A thaw has set in in some areas but it will be several days before an ac.curate survey can be made of the losses and damage. Snow c6ntinued this morning in many country districts and roads are blocked in some areas. The Automobile Association (Southland) advises that all roads to Tapanui are impassable and all roads to Nightcaps and Ohai are also impassable. The main highway between Gore and Dunedin is now clear but snow was still falling this morning and it is possible to negotiate the Waipahi stretch of road only with chains. There are high winds north of Balclutha but all roads beyond tliat point are clear of snow. Four or five inches of snow lie on the Invercargill-Queens-town road between Caroline and Lumsden. BLEAK TARANAKI NEW PLYMOUTH, Sept. 29. Rain, hail, snow, high winds and low temperatures brought winter back to Taranaki last night and today. At various times through _the boisterous night vicious hail storms Jashed the province, doing extensive damage to gardens and fruit trees. Snow fell thickly on Mt. Egmont and spread down on to the farmlands. Ilailstones like shrapnel stripped shrubs and vegetables and were jarge enough to erack eggs. Snow was falling this morning on the lower slopes of the niountain.