SEVERE WINTER WEATHER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1856, 23 July 1918, Page 3

SEVERE WINTER WEATHER.

The weather during the past few days has been (he severest experienced in this district for many years. Gales, rain, sleet, show, have alternated. The snow which has covered high and low ground towards Shannon and the ranges, did not cover the ground locally, but the air was very keen. Heavy falls of snow are experienced in Wellington and throughout the Wairarapa. For four days Taihape and district have been under snow. There is now an average depth of six inches. Original settlers say it is easily the heaviest .fall since the founding of the settlement. There is no appearance of any change in the weather. On the east coast of the South Island all telegraphic communications south of Waiau is interrupted. East of Greymouth no wires were received till 9.15, when one was working very badly. South of Christchurch, lines interrupted. No communication past Oamaru. There was a fall of snow at Palmerston yesterday morning. Christchurch and the surrounding districts were covered with a mantle of snow, four inches deep in the open, and, as far as is known, similar conditions prevail throughout Canterbury, although no information is obtainable yet from the country districts. A heavy south-west gale blew on Sunday night, accompanied by very heavy rain, and snow commenced to fall early yesterday morning, and continued steadily until mid-day, at times accompanied by a very strong southwest gale of Antarctic keenness. The tram service was disorganised, and all forms of locomotion were very difficult.