THE WEATHER

Hokitika Guardian, 4 January 1928, Page 4

THE WEATHER

ENGLAND SNOW-BOUND. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) LONDON, Dec. 31. All England is still snow and frost hound. This condition has now lasted for the longest period this century. A new development which was not expected is that food prices are rising. Big increases occurred in Covent Garden, where vegetables are very scarce. Farmers generally are unable to gather them, and where they are gathcrable they cannot be got to market except at extraordinary cost. For instance, Brussels sprouts, which were lourpence a pound before Christmas, are now a shilling, when obtainable. Coal is also becoming dearer, merchants having difficultly in obtaining supplies owing to the state of the roads and railways holding up waggons. Tbo River Stour in Kent is frozen. Waterways and docks in Itichborough have been turned into ice-fields. A motor-car dug out ot a snowdrift in Llanfrechfn. after great efforts, proved to be a stolen ear, for which tbe police searched for two days. Six aeroplanes are leaving London carrying provisions lor various belengured villages in Surrey, Kent, and Somerset. People in isolated bouses have been told by wireless to mark out a circle on the snow with dark clothes if food is needed, and it will be dropped by parachute. GENERAL THAW SETS IN.

LONDON. Jan. 1. A general thaw has set in throughout England for the New Year, after the country had been snowbound lor a week. Experts are unable to say when the deepest drills will melt. It may not he for weeks. A!any homes tire in danger ol destruction, owing to the movement of tons of snow. I'p to to-n it numerous villages are still cut off. Ski-ing parties visited one or two hamlets in Kent and found the inhabitants on the verge of starvation, 'fears came into their eyes when they received provisions. It is feared that serious floods will result in some districts, as the rivers are dangerously swollen. KNOYV STOP A 1.8 IN AMERICA. NEW YORK, Jan. 1. From the Rocky Mountains to Chicago the country is gripped in a heavy snow storm and cold wave, which at Duluth registered 32 degrees below zero and at St. Paul 14 degrees. Four people are dead in Chicago, and several deaths are reported from Indiana, lowa, Alinnosota, and adjoining States, due to freezing. One person was killed and several injured in train collisions during snowstorms. AAIERTCA SNOWED IN.

NEW YORK. Dec. 31. The official weather forecast indicates that, even the western coast will ho subjected to a protracted cold spoil, with freezing temperatures in Washington and Oregon, and unusual cold in California accompanied by rains. Tlie Canadian North AVcst is expected. as usual, to be subject to the lowest temperatures, while even tbe (4u!f States, through to north-west Florida, will suffer more or less. The weather in New York is now mild, hut n rising wind is blowing and tbe forecast indicates that zero temperatures will Ik 1 reached within a few hours, with heavy snowstorms. Several collisions occured in New Ybn-k harbour, amongst which was one between the liner I’rcsiilcnl Hayes and t.’ie freighter Taranti. NEAY YORK, Dec. 31. Five passenger steamers and fifteen lug freighters are fog-bound here and unless tbe log clears soon a score of additional ships expected uill !>c unable to enter the harbour.* Only one freighter has managed to enter during tin- last twenty-four hours and none was able to leave. Tbe Mauretania and the Leviathan are unable to proceed on their journeys, and traffic generally is badly disrupted.