RAIN, WIND AND SNOW.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 178, 18 July 1908, Page 2

RAIN, WIND AND SNOW.

TRAIN SNOWED UP. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin, Friday. A goods train is blocked by snow on the Otago Central line. FROZEN SNOW FIVE FEET DEEP. Dunedin, Last Night. . Frozen snow, sft deep, and in places higher than the funnels of the engines, lie between Wedderburn and Otairehua. A single engine with a sno,w, plough was derailed frequently, so two engines were coupled and worked tlie plough today, getting an engine's length further each rush. Two miles were ploughed in 12 hours. The officials are doubtful if the line will be cleared by Monday. A train leaves Clyde daily for Otairehua, but cannot get beyond the latter station. Two snow ploughs are now at work, clearing the line. The ground is so hard that it is tinning the points of pick-axes. No snow fell to-day. Advice was received to-day that the Government had consented to rail free of charge stock from any part of Taieri and rail feed to any part affected by the Hoods.

Christchurch, Last Night. After a fine, cold and frosty night this morning broke gloomy and threatening. At about half-past eight snow began to fall, and this was rapidly succeeded by hail, and subsequently by rain, accompanied .by a strong gale. Shortly after noori the sun peeped out, the rain leaving off, but the wind continued, with increasing vigor, and by nightfall a heavy sou'-west squall had set in. The southerly gale continued at Lyttelton throughout the night, and increased in force.

Early this morning heavy rain commenced to fall, varied by hail and sleet squalls. The storm lasted through the morning. There was a heavy fall of snow on all the hills round the harbor.

The gale had the usual effect in de-j laying shipping. The Warrimoo, which left Wellington at 5.35 p.m. did not arrive at Lyttelton util 10 o'clock, and ffie ferry steamer Mararoa, which sailed at 8.10 p.m., did not put in an appearance until noon, both vessels experiencing a hard southerly gale with .high head seas and snow, hail and rain squalls.