SNOW ON RANGES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 July 1938, Page 4

SNOW ON RANGES

FALL IN THE WAIRARAPA LAST NIGHT RIMUTAKA ROAD ALMOST IMPASSABLE EXTREME CARE NECESSARY Residents of the Wairarapa awoke yesterday to find the foothills of the Tararuas and the Maungaraki Range to the east of the valley well coated in snow. Yesterday was a very cold day and snow started to fall on the ranges in the late afternoon, and continued well into the night. Masterton itself experienced a slight sprinkling. There was a considerable fall of snow on the Rimutakas last night, the main highway being impassable for cars, except those equipped with chains. Even with this help, one car took five hours to make the trip from Featherston to Wellington. As much as nine inches of snow fell on' the Wellington side of the range. Many cars were left on the roadside last night, the occupants in some cases abandoning them meantime, and seeking shelter elsewhere, but in other cases they settled down to spend the night in the car. As many as twenty cars were parked in the roadside. The latest reports as to the condition of the road this morning showed that although the highway was passable for cars by the exercise of extreme care, drivers were not advised to use the road except in cases of extreme necessity. Great difficulty arose when two cars attempted to pass. Automobile Association officers are on the scene and are rendering every assistance.

At Kaituna, one of the heaviest falls of snow for some time was recorded, there being as much as two inches in most places. Similar conditions existed on the Maungaraki Ranges, and in the Te Wharau district. Fortunately, very few lambs are about yet, and most of these are on the flat country, so that no stock losses are anticipated. Had yesterday’s cold snap come in the middle of lambing, no doubt serious losses would have resulted. Lambing will not be general until about the middle of next month. FALL- AT MT BRUCE. HEAVIEST FOR TWENTY YEARS. At Mt Bruce the fall of snow was the heaviest since 1918. On the flats there are 8 to 9 inches of snow and on the hills from 15 to 18 inches. With so much snow on the ground the feed position will become . a serious matter unless rain falls within a day or two.