WINTRY STORM

Hokitika Guardian, 29 December 1933, Page 5

WINTRY STORM

NELSON DISTRICT SUFFERS

TOBACCO CROPS .DESTROYED

(Per Press lssoelation — Copyright :

NELSON, December 29

While escaping . most of the Dominion’s unseasonable weather during the holidays’ . Nelson’s protecting ranges _ were unable- to shield the district from the tail-end of the fierce south-easterly squall, which passed over yesterday afternoon. Narrow sectors experienced heavy falls of hail, which in the Pangatotara district, resulted in the destruction cf approximately fifty acres of tobacco plants. Growers in other districts also , suffered. . In four minutes the hail was three inches deep, the fall being unique in the district’s history.- In some parts the- hailstones were as big as pigeon eggs, and, with jagged pieces of ice, fell with unusual force, bouncing like small tennis bulls.

It is understood that efforts will be made to secure a replanting, though the season is rather far advanced. Fair crops have at times been obtained with late planting.

STORM RAGES IN CANTERBURY

CHRISTCHURCH, December 29

Further rain, hail, and sleet- storms raged in North Canterbury during the night and continued this morning. Considerable damage was done to fruit, and standing crops, while mnnv enmping parties.were driven to shelt-

The storm caused an interruption in the transmission' last-'evening of the r-ew 3YA station at Gebbies’ Pass, and the lvnml programme had to bo suspended Ur a time whib the power was. reduced to permit the clearing of the lead-in, which became"lcoated with sleet.