Fun In The Snow

When Gisborne and district received its heaviest fall of snow since 1939, hundreds of city children travelled to the heavily-laden Wharerata Hills for their first experience of snow.

Travelling by special excursion buses, the children had the time of their lives, engaging in snow-ball fights, building snowmen, and romping around with snow all over them, apparently oblivious of the freezing conditions.

Traffic moving along a new section of the Wharerata highway, winding through the snow-covered hills. Much of the road had to be cleared of snow, which was several feet deep in many places.

Elizabeth Gooch and Cheryl Clayton build a snowman

A boy "thaws out" his frozen hands on the warm exhaust pipe of the bus

Bill Bishop and assistants struggle along with a large chunk of snow to be taken home as a souvenir

"Cop this!"

With her hair blown over her eyes, a wind-swept snow-baller prepares for battle.

In 1939 a heavier snowfall than this year's effort blanketed Gisborne with a white mantle. In this scene from Kaiti Hill, snow can be seen on the car park, the city streets, and the surrounding low hills.

A snowball fight in progress in Rawiri Street on 27th July, 1939. (Both pictures on this page from Mr Percy Bushnell).

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The Gisborne Photo News

No 124 : October 8, 1964

Fun In The Snow