London Sees Ice-Breakers

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 233, 21 December 1927, Page 9

London Sees Ice-Breakers

STRANGE SCENES IN PARIS Europe in Winter’s Grip EUROPE is ill the grip of frost and snow. It is one of the coldest and stormiest periods in many years. It is reported from Naples that Vesuvius is blanketed with snow for the first time. British Wireless—Press Assn. —Copyright

Reed. 11.30 a.m. RUGBY, Tuesday. Severe windy weather continues throughout Britain, and the South Coast last night experienced a blizzard.

In London the weather is clear and sunny, but for the fifth successive day the temperature is well below freezing point. Skating is proceeding in many parts of the country, and snow covers the Midland afid Northern shires. The forecast is for continuation of present indications over Christmas. The indications are that England’s present snow and frost-bound condition will establish a record for many years. Heavy falls of snow are continuing in most places and there are instances of railway points being frozen up ancl thus hindering traffic. Road traffic is seriously impeded. Ice-breakers have been used for the first time for years on many of the London canals, which are covered with ic* to a depth of three or four inches.

Early this morning a fire which occurred at Michelham Priory, an eleventh century building now used as a private residence, provided a weird spectacle. Water from the hoses formed icicles on the building and the firemen’s wet uniforms froze stiff. The engines had to cease pumping periodically owing to the intakes freezing.— A. and N.Z.

PARIS UNDERWORLD

SOUP FOR THE HUNGRY SURPRISED VAGABONDS There have been five additional deaths from exposure and extreme cold. Reed. 11.40 a.m. PARIS, Tuesday. The hospitals are finding difficulty in accommodating the rapidly-increas-ing number of persons overcome by' the weather. The police are taking elaborate measures to protect the hungry and homeless. It is reported from Naples that Vesuvius is blanketed with snow for the first time. Strange scenes were witnessed in the underworld of Paris. The prefect of police issued instruction that tramps and vagabonds be rounded up and brought, during the night, to the police stations, where they were served with soup and coffee instead of being charged as outcasts.

These wrecks of humanity were most reluctant to obey the law, but finally were overjoyed at the reception from their old-time enemies. Some burst into tears at the unexpected hospitality.

The intensity of the cold is increasing. A number of deaths as a result of the cold weather are" reported in France, including four in Paris. Two hundred and fifty out of 1,000 telegraph lines in Paris snapped.

Many of the smaller rivers in France are frozen and blocks of ice are appearing in the River Seine. The execessive cold has also caused iron bridges to contract, so that the wooden paving blocks were forced up. As a result several bridges are impassable.—A. and N.Z.