THE RECENT SNOWSTORM

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 251, 11 July 1918, Page 4

THE RECENT SNOWSTORM

RESTORING COMMUNICATION WITH ISOLATED TOWNSHIPS.

Praitieally all of tlis snowed-in southern townships have now obtained communication with the outside world. At Waiau, Mr. Stovo managed to "break through" on Friday from Culverden, and on the same day Iho telegraph linesman in charge, Mr. Bradley, after .many days of hard toil, restored the line between the two townships. Since Friday, the I'oiids have improved, and travelling, although arduous, is possible. Tho train got through on Sunday. As evidence of the extent of the fall, at the Whale's Back there was between five and six feet, at Morrendellas -Ift. Sin., at theWnndlo .Ift., and at Sherwood Sift.

It is reported that thero is n considerable depth of snow along the foot of the hills in the Staveley district, Ashburtoii County, and that one settler in that, district has lost 57 head of cattle. At the present time it is impossible to get a. motor-car anywhere within of tho foot of the hills, and horse vehicles are being utilised. At Hlghbank the snow fell to a depth of 27m., and it is feared that there will be a loss of sheep. At Ruapuna 2ft. Gin. of snow fell, and fanners are being kept busy feeding their stock on straw and chaff.

The number of sheep out in Hie snowaffocted districts is somewhat difficult to estimate, but it is assertod llial- from Marlborough down- to tho Waitaki there are quite two million eheep that are more or less snowbound. This number includes sheop on tho low country which 1 can bo moved with more or less diffioully,. Tho greater number of tho sheep are, however, on the higher country, and if Otago and Southland are included there will be something like three million sheep affected. Of course- on parts of the high country enow is experienced every year, and tho sheep ara brought down io safe ground by the "snow muster" at tho beginning of winter. Tho snowfall has, however, covered all the "safe-" country, and until there is a general thaw there will be no feed available. Some 4000 sheep have been sent down from the snowbound country to Bakaia in the lost few daye. Arrangements have been made for further special trains for starving stock, but as the thaw has been heavy it is not probable that many drafts will be eent. On Sunday 12-t truoks of sheep from tho snow-covered Mackenzie Country wero railed from Fairlio, and another 100 irucks on Monday.

The Telegraph Department , notifies that there will lie heavy delay still on traffic for the Christchurch and Dunedin districts, as only three wires aro available at present.