INTERRUPTED COMMUNICATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 July 1918, Page 3

INTERRUPTED COMMUNICATION.

EAST COAST CUT OFF

Advice received by the local Telegraph office states that snow storms have interrupted telegraphic communication between Greymouth and Christchurch via Arthur’s Pass, and between Wellington and Christchurch via the East Coast.

It is expected it will be several days before communication is restored. Meanwhile messages from the West Coast tc Christchurch are being sent to Wellington and then posted to Lyttelton foi transmission. The. East Coast of the South Island is cut off from the rest of the Dominion and all telegraphic work is being sent down from Wellington to Christchurch by tho ferry steamer.

THE SNOW FALL. The snow fall is the heaviest on tin Southern Alps for very many years. It is expected that through communication between Christchurch and tip West. Coast will not be restored till to-morrow or Friday.

The Otira express which loft Greymouth at 8.40. yesterday morning, with a good number of passengers (including a draft of West Coast men for ( camp), and mails, returned last even ing. The mails will he despatched by steamer.

Advice from Otira yesterday afternoon [stated: —Present conditions nre as follows:—Four foot of snow in Otira Gorge, three feet at Arthur’s Pass, four feet at Springfield. The train yesterday morning from Christchurch was unable to get past Kirwee through sriov on the line. An endeavour is/to Ik made by the roadmen to-day, to hav r a track made through snow to Arthur's Pass from Otira; but there is very littlr chance of connection with Christchurch for at least several days unless U weather greatly improves.

STILL INTERRUPTED,

NO MAILS TO-DAY,

Tho Chief Postmaster admised this afternoon—The train from Christchurch this morning could only proceed as far as Sprinfield.- There is no chance of any mails getting through to-day and the prospects for to-morrow nre extremely doubtful, there not being much prospect at present. Otira reports not having been able to get- up the Otira Gorge to-dav.

The steamer Kamo is leaving Greymouth to-morrow morning at 5 o’clock for Wellington and all available mails will bo sent bv her.

[PKR IT.KSS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.]

A HEAVY SNOWFALL.

CHRISTCHURCH, July 1

Following steady rain all the morning, a heavy fall of snow commenced at 2 o’clock.

STILL RAINING

CHRISTCHURCH, July 2

The weather shows a slight sign of though rain is falling : again this morning.

ELECTRIC LIGHT BREAK

CHRISCHURCH, July I

Rain has been falling steadily all the morning. One effect of the rough weather was the breakdown of Lake Coleridge electric current supply. A break occurred on each line, one during last night and tho other early this morning. Much inconvenience was caused at houses and other buildings dependent on electric supply. The Tramway: Board came to their assistance to-day with a supply of light and power where it, is urgently required. It is expected the Coleridge line will l>o renaired by this afternoon.

ANOTHER ELECTRIC LINE BREAK

CHRISTCHURCH, July 2,

Lake Coleridge electric current was again cut off, both lines being down and the gangs have not located tin breaks. The city, therefore, is dependent again on the Tramway Board for its electric supply.

TELEGRAPH LINES DOWN

CHRISTCHURCH, July 2

- Telegraph gangs are out, but havenot ascertained the damage yet, and no information is available when the liner will be restored.

RAILWAY TRAFFIC’

CHRISTCHURCH, July 2

The Railway Department reports the interruption of traffic. A train from Springfield lias not yet got through, and the train leaving this morning for the West Coast only got to Darfield. It is hoped the Methven train "ill reach the city this afternoon, but no trains arc running on Mount Somers and Cheviot lines.

DAMAGE IN CANTERBURY

CHRISTCHURCH. July 2

Mr Skinner, Commissioner of Crown ; Lands, has received information regarding the weather in various parts of Canterbury. The position in the bacx country is serious, especially as snow is still falling. Indications point to heavy losses of stock in some parts. The rainfall in Christchurch for 24 hours to nine this morning was nearly 1£ inches.

NORTH CANTERBURY BLOCKED

CHRISTCHURCH, July 2,

Reports from North Canterbury state the fall of snow is very heavy in that district.

The telegraph lines tire down in some parts and railway traffic north of Random is interfered with.