HEAT WAVE.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 January 1921, Page 6

HEAT WAVE.

GRASS FIRE IN CANTERBURY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, Jan. 4. Canterbury experienced a remarkable heat wave yesterday and in several localities on the plains the maximum shade temperature exceeded 100 degrees. It ig authoritatively stated that cuch a high shade temperature has not been previously registered over a great part of Canterbury. In Christchurch the shade temperature was 94.3, the highest recorded since 1908. To-day there was a complete change, a strong cold south-west wind blowing. The high temperature yesterday caused a number of automatic fire alarms in and about the city to operate. A grass fire swept a large area between Bankside and Southbridge yesterday. It is believed that over 100 square miles of country was affected, but the losses in crops and stock were small. Aided by a north-west wind the fire spread rapidly. The whole countryside turned out to ffght the flames. A fortunate change of the wind to the south-west aided their efforts, turning the fire back on its course. If the north-wester had held, it is thought, the fire would have penetrated the township of Southbpdge, as it was advancing on a wide front Particulars of the damages sustained by individuals are not available. The loss in grazing was extensive, and many fences disappeared and a few acres of crops were consumed.