HEAT WAVE

Hokitika Guardian, 29 December 1930, Page 5

HEAT WAVE

IN NEW ZEALAND. (By Tele^irtph—Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, December 28. The hottest weather of this summer indeed the hottest spell for several ■years, has been experienced by Christchurch over the week-end. On Friday a hot northwest wind blew, but the sky was overcast, and the weather was sultry and very oppressive, with out very intense heat. On Saturday the wind increased in velocity, and was of a scorching heat, while the sun blazed relentlessly from a clear sky. At ten o’clock the temperature was 85 in the shade, and the maximum heat was reached at 2 p.m., 89 point 9 degrees. At 5.30 the thermometer still showed 85. To-day the weather was still hot, but the air was slightly cooled by a light southwest breeze. On Saturday there were collapses at the New Zealand tennis tourney, and the heat certainly affected the results of important matches. Miss Nicholls, New Zealand champion, collapsed exhausted. Miss Wake had a slight heat stroke or sunstroke, and her partner, Miss M. Andrew, was also ill as the result of exertion and the heat. Many other players of less distinction suffered acute distress, abandoning the ganies. This morning several women fainted during the Cathedral service. At the cricket match yesterday and at the broadsiding in the evening, numbers of male spectators discarded their coats, watching the events in their shirt sleeves.

All the beaches were thronged all day. At Brighton the bathers were in the water until midnight last night.