CITY DISORGANISED

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 23, 27 July 1939, Page 10

CITY DISORGANISED

DUNEDIN POSITION

EMERGENCY TRANSPORT

(By Telegraph —P-pss Association.)

DUNEDIN, July 26.

Dunedin was completely disorgan- | tsed today, and the streets empty and I deserted. The initial thrill experienced by many when the snow began to fall early on Monday afternoon has turned to dismay, for th*-< position is really serious. The transport system, partially dislocated yesuardsy, is wholly out of action toctay, oniy a lew Duses, totally inadequate to cope wuh tne requirements of a city of this size, being on the streets. Possibly the, most serious result of the present blizzard is the inability or tradespeople to distribute foodstuffs, such as bread and milk, efficiently xnose people living on the fiats, where innumerable small stores are to oe found, are better off than residents living at a distance and on the hills. Worst of all is the distribution of milk, j and mothers with babies are having a worrying time.

Yesterday most of the nearby dairy farmers had to dig their way out, and milk deliveries were nours late. Th;s morning the position was much worse.

Bakers have experienced the same acute difficulties, and only those p^op.e who can call for bread have been sure of getting supplies, though every endeavour has been made to deliver where possible.

If condition? do not rapidly improve a serious position is likely to arise.

Not only is thp position bad in the individual home, but hospitals and other institutions are meeting witn difficulty The hospital board for instance, could not get supplies to its subsidiary institution up at Wakari "oy usual methods, and called upon the Students' Association to volunteer f3 take up supplies this afternoon. This was done, young men dragging necessaries up the hill by sledge.

City transport services were practically at a standstill and only a few trams and buses coped with the comparatively few residents requiring transport.-

Trains leaving.Dunedin were unabJe to get through the snow drifts north and south of the city None of the expresses. due.to arrive in Dunedin were able 10 get through, and they haa to return to Invercargil] and Oamaru.

Suburban train services were abandoned, only two trips to Port Chal mers and two to Mosgiel being made all day.

The city was also nut off by road Mount Cargill being, impassable and the main south highway being blocked by heavy drifts of snow south of Mosgiel.

The weight of snow on roofs, verandahs, and skylights caused a fair amount of damage in the city, and plumbers will have a busy time repairing damaged roofs, torn spouting, burst cisterns, and leaks.

Winter sports attracted throngs of people, young and old. from early morn till late at night. Tobossanists had great sport on the steep streets of the city and the more gentle slopes attracted numerous skiers. Snowballing was rife throughout the city and the making of snow men and other fantastic creatures kept many hands busy.