WINTER HITS BACK

Evening Star, Issue 23370, 13 September 1939, Page 8

WINTER HITS BACK

EXTENSIVE SNOWFALL IN CENTRAL TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION DISRUPTED ROADS IN THE SOUTH UNDER WATER • In the annual contest between those seasoned grapplers, Winter and Sprin honours in a vigorous round fought yesterday and last night, went most decidedly to Winter. Hp obtained the upper hand of Spring early yesterday morning, and proceeded to snow that there was “ plenty of life in the old boy yet.” In the city winter’s liveliness was confined to continued steady rain which set in about 11 o’clock yesterday morning, with, by way of variety during the night, a fairly heavy fall of snow on Flagstaff, Mount Cargill, and with even a sprinkling on the Peninsula. The cold last night was in marked contrast to the warmth of the early morning, and to the mildness which has prevailed for some days. Inland the spring-like conditions have been much more marked lately, and Central Otago residents were deluded into thinking winter had definitely been ousted. This morning the Maniototo district was completely snowbound, a very heavy and extensive fall having taken place, blocking roads, and_ causing a disruption of the telephonic service.

The true extent of the fall is not known, as it is impossible to make contact with any township in the big tract of country between Morrison’s and Omakau. The very fact that the lines are down indicates that the fall has been severe, because no such interference was experienced during the major storms of a month ago. The district telegraph engineer stated this morning that men had been despatched to repair the damage, but nothing haa been heard from them. It was anticipated that these men would encounter difficulty in, getting through to effect repairs, and at 1 ip.m. to-dav it was not thought that anything definite would be known for some hours. . Snow started to fall on the Maniototo yesterday afternoon, and apparently continued throughout the night, because this morning snow was still falling intermittently at Morrison’s, where there were several inches on the road. The snow was soft and not frozen. It was anticipated at Morrison’s that it would be lying thickly on the Pigroot higher levels. ROADS IMPASSABLE. No advice as to the state of the roads between Morrison’s and Ranfuriy, and between Ranfuriy and Becks was available this morning from the Automobile Association (Otago). Omakau had been raised on the telephone, and it was reported that there was 3in on the road there. The road between Omakau and Bocks was impassable, and motorists were trying to get through via Matakanui. It is believed that all the roads leading into the Mauiototo are blocked. Alexandra reported little snow, and it was learnt that, the roads from Milton to Alexandra and from Alexandra to Omakau were dear. As soon as repairs to the telephone lines have been effected more definite, information will be available aud will be released at once. _ It is not anticipated that the snow will lie long, as there has been no frost to bind it. Usually snow in September lies only for a few hours, but, of. course, if conditions are overcast or if further snow is falling the clearance takes longer. . The OutrarmMiddlemarch road is clear and motorists can travel to Hyde, where there is 2in of snow hang. Beyond Hyde the state of the road is unknown. The Outrto-Middlemarch road has shown a marked improvement as a result of the fine weather latterly, and the surface is consolidating. There is now no longer need to apply for a permit to use this road. WATER ON TAPANUI-GORE ROAD. Considerable water, the result of steady rain, is lying on the road between Gore and Tapanui, and at Pomahaka there is a fair depth, ranging up to 18iu in the banked portions of the road. Motorists are advised not to use this road in the meantime but to make a detour via the Tweedie’s Ford road, which is clear.. Most of the streams in the southern part of the province are running high, but this morning the rain had ceased and it looked then as if there would be no further flood danger. The Main South road is clear, local conditions. Local conditions improved this morning after rain which fell steadily for 12 hours. The registered fall up to S) o’clock this morning was ,52in. Temperatures were cold, and indications were for a fine day, but continued passing clouds were preventing the sun from making a quick thaw of the snow on the hills. A fair amount of surface water was lying about the suburbs and in grassed areas, and spring sowing will have had another setback, for the ground has been thoroughly moistened with the rain and will again be unworkable for a few days.