Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Tuesday 7 August 1923, page 10


COUNTRY REPORTS.

BLACKHEATH, Monday. As the result of a big snowstorm which commenced yesterday afternoon Blackheath and district were onrapped In a huge mantle of white. The fall was the heaviest in the district for 12 years, and was almost equal to the record fall of 30 years ago. Over 12 inches of snow have fallen to date. It was extremely heavy at Shipley, and visitors intending to catch yesterday's train were unable to make the road,

BOWRAL, Monday. Three or four days of Intensely cold weather culminated in a fairly heavy fall of snow on Sunday morning, the ground being covered with a white mantle, which enabled snowballing to be freely indulged in. For a few hours the Gib and Oxley's Hill presented a beautiful sight, but heavy rain then came in and soon melted the

snow, 1

DORRIGO, Monday. Ab far as is known, the first fall of snow that has occurred on Dorrigo was experienced this morning. It lasted for about an hour. All the hills were covered with a white mantle for several hours. Reports from Guy Fawkes state the fall there was phenomenal: It generally covered the landscape to a depth of two foot.

DUBBO, Monday. Following upon several days of very cold and showery weather, snow fell here from 7 to 8 p.m., on Saturday. The last fall was 23 years ago. Hundreds who had never seen snow turned out in the cold to witness the fall, a feature of which was the extraordinary size of the flakes. Rain followed the snow. The weather is now clear and cold, and the rain appears to have finished.

DEEPWATER, Monday. Snow, alternating with sleet, fell all day yesterday. To-day is intensely cold, with southerly winds. Condi-tions favour a further fall of snow.

FORBES, Monday. The unusual sight of falling snow was witnessed here late on Saturday afternoon, after a bitterly cold day. The flakes were heaped up against a number of buildings, and made the fields white. Light snow fell here about two years ago, but the only heavy fall was In July, 1900, when what is known locally as a snow fie -d occurred.

GILGANDRA, Monday. Snow fell here on Saturday night. Flakes as big as a half-crown were noticed out Tooraweenah way. About three inches fell. The hills and trees are,

quite white. It is over 20 years since any semblance of snow was noticed here.

GOULBURN, Monday. The heaviest fall of snow for some years occurred in Goulburn yesterday, when three or four inches fell. The whole city and district were under a mantle of snow all day, but rain fell in the afternoon and melted most of the fall. In practically every front garden a snow man had been built, and they still retain their shapes to-day. The weather is threatening, and

further rain is assured.

GUYRA, Monday. Last night the heaviest fall of snow during the season occurred, averaging four to six inches. This makes the sixth fall in the last seven days.

INVERELL, Monday. The weather during the last few days has been bitterly cold.

Snow fell in various parts of the district yesterday.

KATOOMBA, Monday. Katoomba has been visited by the heaviest fall of snow recorded since 1910. A light fall commenced shortly after midnight on Saturday which gradually hardened Into steady drift and continued practically without cessation until 9 p.m. on Sunday. The whole district now lies under a mantle 18 inches deep, and presents a glorious spectacle. In places drifts four feet deep lie against walls and fences. The streets are thronged with people snowballing. Trades-men are greatly hampered with the delivery of goods. Considerable damage has been occasioned by water from melting snow penetrating residences. In many parts the electric wires are down, and candles have to be employed. The thaw has commenced and the falls are a magnificent sight. The municipal council has improvised a snow plough for clearing the centres of the streets to facilitate traffic. Light rain is falling.

LITHGOW, Monday. The heaviest fall of snow for some years occurred here yesterday, commencing in the afternoon. About seven inches of snow fell, and the scene was a particularly picturesque one, with the surrounding hills and all objects in the town itself being covered with a white mantle. Road traffic was considerably hampered and a number of church services in the suburbs had to be abandoned. Light showers of rain have since fallen, and except in patches the snow has disappeared. The roads and footpaths are, however, In a very bad state. The temperatures throughout have been very low. This has been the most severe winter for many years.

MOSS VALE, Monday. During the last week the weather has been very cold and boisterous. On Sunday morning snow started to fall, cover-ing the ground to a depth of an inch, followed by rain, which continued all day. The snow soon disappeared. Old hands say this has been the coldest winter experienced in this district, and supervening a bad season, great losses of stock have occurred.

SCONE, Monday. There has been fine rain throughout the district. The heaviest fall of snow for years occurred on the north and

north-west summits.

SINGLETON. Monday. Splendid rain fell yesterday and last night. Coming on top of the recent fall an excellent spring is assured. The following falls have been recorded in the town and district: Singleton 93 points, Broke 105, Olive 103, Westbrook 106, Goorangoola 140, Carrowbrook 150, Ravensworth 85, Sedgefield 87, Hebden 70. Light showers have fallen to-day, the weather being still unsettled.

WELLINGTON, Monday. The first fall of snow for the past twenty three years occurred on Saturday at about 7 p.m. and continued till about 10. Snow covered everything to a depth of two or three inches. The hills and valleys were covered with snow yesterday morning. Heavy showers of rain followed and washed the snow from the

streets.

WENTWORTH FALLS, Monday. Yesterday afternoon the heaviest snowstorm experienced for 12 years set It. The ground was covered with snow in some places to the extent of more than a foot in depth. The Falls and Valley of the Waters presented unique spectacles. Locomotion was difficult The electric lights were extinguished. Snowballing was prevalent and there were splendid opportunities

for ski-ing. Though rain set in this morning the ground is still covered with snow. In many instances the weight of the snow broke down branches from the trees. Trunk line telephone interruptions have occurred. A thaw has now set In. 140 points of rain have been recorded.