HEAVY WEATHER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2247, 20 July 1908, Page 2

HEAVY WEATHER.

STRONG GALES AND SNOW. RAILWAY LINES BLOCKED. [Press Association.] . WELLINGTON, July 18. Rain fell heavily last night.and this morning. The weather is still' cold and wet. All football and- hockey matches have been postponed, but the ' races at Trentham are being proceeded with. * x CHRISTCHURCH, July 18.

After -a line, cold and. frosty night, this morning broke gloomy and threatening. At about half-past 8 snow began to fall, and this was rapidly succeeded by hail and subsequently rain, - accompanied by a strong gale. Shortly after noon the sun peeped out, and the rain left off, but the wind continued with increasing vigor, and by nightfall a heavy sou’ivest squall had set in. The southerly gale continued a t Lyttelton thro-, ughout tho night, and increased in, force early this morning. Heavy rain commenced to fall shortly after 0.30 this morning, and varied by hail and sleet squalls lasted throughout the morning. Ther© was a heavy fall of snow on the hills around the harbor. The wind had the usual effect of. delaying the shipping. The Warrimoo, which left Wellington at 5.35 p.m., did not arrive at Lyttelton .until 10 o’clock, and; th© ferry, steamer Mara-roa, which sailed at‘B.lo p.m., did not' put in an appearance until noon. Both vessels experienced a. hard southerly gale, with high seas, and .snow, hail, and rain squalls. DUNEDIN, July 18.

Frozen snow five teet <leep, and in places fiigfier than the funnels of the engines, lies between Wedderburn ama Oturehua. A single engine with l snow plough was derailed frequently, so two engines were coupled and worked the plough to-day, getting an engine’s length further each rus'ii. Two miles were piougned in i2 hours. The officials-are doubtful af the line being cleared by Monday. A train leaves Glyde daily for Oturenua, but cannot get beyond the latter station. Two snow ploughs are now at work clearing the line, i The ground is so hard that it turns the points of the pick axes. No snow tell to-day. Advice was received to-day that the Government hid consented to rail, tree of charge, stock from any part of Taieri, and rail feed to any part affeted by the . floods. HEAVY LOSSES IN STOCK. RUNHOLDERiS’ serious POSITION. [Press Association.] * CHRISTCHURCH, July 19. The Timaru correspondent of the “Press” states that the recent fall of snow is likely to be more serious than was at first anticipated in tho Mackenzie country. Runhoiders are employing men at great expense to sav e us many sheep as possible, but it is stated that where hundreds were lost alter tile last snowstorm some rew years back, the loss this time will run into thousands. SNOW IN POVERTY BAY. The heavy storms that raged on Friday brought snow in its tram, and when Gisborne people began to move about the town on Saturday morning they were surprised to see a heavy covering of enow on the Muriwai ■hills, "the snow extended oil higher hills as far as the East Gape) and a few flakes fell at Mangapapa. There was a heavy fall at Hangaro, Tiuiroto, and Purikanapa, and the lulls and valleys were white. The strong wind soon blew the covering from tlio ridges, and when the sun canio o ut at intervals the snow quickly thawed, tho water causing many creeks .and rivers to flood. The Wharekopae hills hav 0 been clothed in snow since Thursday, but- reports state -th.it the warmth yesterday cleared the ranges, and the wind ‘ caused tile snow to drift into th e valleys. ■ From AVharerata, Mahia, and Morere light fills are reported, while small patches are visible, on the Motu hills. le Karaka got u heavy covering, and the hills are all carrying ;a. mantle of pure white. . Yesterday the weather showed signs of moderating. The wind was warmer, and there wars every sign tint more favorable weather would set in.

As lar as can be ascertained stock lias not suffered in any; way from tho severe weather.

HEAT IN SYDNEY

United Press Association. Copyright (Received July 20, 12.48 a.in.)

SYDNEY. July 19. lhe weather to-day has been warm, and in the shade the temperature was .71.9. This is one of the hottest July days experienced for 49 years.