Newspaper Article 1989 – School ‘snow problem’

School ‘snow problem’

Why worry about school? It was no problem for these children yesterday after a 10cm blanket of snow turned the Waiwhare school grounds into a winter wonderland.

These children had a ball as they dreamed up new games to make use of powder snow – including a competition to make the biggest snowball.

Principal Mr Tony Simons said it was the first time in six years that snow had fallen there.

The school is 50km from Hastings the Taihape road, just 370 metres above sea level.

Desert Road closed: The Desert Road is closed and heavy traffic is reported in the central North Island, the Automobile Association said today.

Highway 47 which runs off the National Park road to the Chateau Tongariro is reported to be marginal. Highway 47A is also marginal.

Also closed is Highway 3 running from Te Kuiti to New Plymouth. It is closed due to a slip 10km south of Piopio.

In the South Island all roads in Otago were open again today after the heaviest snow in the region for many years created havoc yesterday.

Photos: Tim Whittaker