AFTER THE STORM

Evening Star, Issue 23371, 14 September 1939, Page 10

AFTER THE STORM

TELEPHONIC DAMAGE IN CENTRAL SNOW THAWING RAPIDLY TAIERI RiVER. AT HIGH LEVEL A return almost to normal condition* was reported from _ the Central Otag® districts this morning, although, most of the countryside was still under snow. This, however; was disappearing steadily undier the influence of a. strong sun and -a light; nortK-westorly wind and an ■ the main roads were negotiable for traffic, the surface showing through m many parts. Main line telephonic communication is restored.' •_ ' ; " * Light snow showers fell last night, but did not add materially to Ah© fall which occurred the previous night. The first reports of the extent of the fall were somewhat exaggerated, and it is, now revealed that depths ranging ■ from 6in to 10in occurred over the territory between Omakau and Morrisons, the worst of the fall being experienced on the Maniototo. Cause of the extensive damage to telephone services ,was. the absence of wind, which _ allowed the snow to settle, on the lines,‘ making them, in the words of the country engineer (Mr Black) “ look like ship 9 cables.” Considerable damage jvas done to private lines leading tb residences, as well as to the main service wires. At Nasebv the weight of snow was sufficient to cause a telegraph pole to snap, and other poles are said to have broken on the Ophir-Omakau highway. ■ As there was no wind, drifting did not occur, and consequently the thaw, which was proceeding steadily to-day. is even. The cold snap is not expected to have any effects on stock, as no lamb* , have been born in the Central as yet. TAIERI RIVER RISES. A big increase in the volume of th* Taieri River was reported! from -Ranfurly fliis morning, the; river being higher than for many years. _Ai one part between Ranfurly and Patearo* there was a trickle of water over th® road, but it was not expected the situation would more serious. This part was at on© tiro© a danger point, but the road has been built up in recent times, and rarely gives trouble now.; There was no serious reflection of th* rise on the Taieri Plain this morning; the river was reported at I o clock to be rising. but was not in any way dangerous then. ; , * STATE QF THE ROADS. Roads, according to the Automobil* Association (Otago) are now all clear, and the flood waters on th© Gore-Tapa-nui road! have receded. There was soms water between Cromwell and Pembroke, but this also has receded. There is,snow on the Lindis Pass, hut the road is negotiable. . , . t , _ Care must be exercised in the Kawarau Gorge, where heavy rain and snow have caused some minor slips, loosening boulders which have come down on _tbe road. As these boulders are mainly lying on the inside of the road, traffia to'Queenstown has to travel on th* wrong side, and a watch must be observed for down traffic, ,