COOL CHANGE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 January 1939, Page 5

COOL CHANGE

FOLLOWS TERRIBLE HEAT

IN SYDNEY

TEMPERATURES STILL HIGH IN INLAND AREAS. RAIN FALLING IN PARTS OF STATE. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. SYDNEY, January 16. Comparatively cool weather has prevailed all along the seaboard of New South Wales since Saturday evening, affording much-needed relief. But for this change the deathroll would undoubtedly have been much greater. Temperatures along the coast are now back to 66 degrees. Light rain has fallen all today and shows signs of continuing. The weather bureau forecasts, however, that inland temperatures will remain high, specially in the far west.

Seven more deaths (making a total of 114 in one week) since yesterday have occurred from the heat, four at Broken Hill, two at Cobar, and one at Bourke. Rain is reported to be falling in several parts of the State, chiefly in the south-east, where it will be most welcome.

The main topic of conversation in the city today was Saturday's fierce fur-nace-like heat, from which there was no escape, even indoors, where it Was impossible to find a cool spot. Women and children, it is reported, became hysterical. Thirsts were unquenchable. Milk and ice supplies gave out early in the afternoon. Mothers despaired of their babies’ lives.

Householders without exception speak of Saturday as the worst day of theii' careers. They think that the Victorian and southern bush fires were mainly responsible for the sudden burst of inordinate heat. Bush fires in New South Wales, which are now under control, caused five deaths. The town of Yalwal, near Nowra, was virtually wiped out by bush fires. NEW ZEALAND VISITORS NOT UNDULY AFFECTED. FIVE SCOUTS SENT TO HOSPITAL. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. SYDNEY, January 16. Of the 300 New Zealand Scouts remaining in Sydney only 40 are in camp at Bradfield, the remainder being billeted in Sydney homes. The contingent leader reports that the New Zealanders found the heat wave very trying, but stood it remarkably well. Five boys were overcome and placed in the camp hospital for two or three days’ rest. The general health of the whole contingent was very good. The boys were taken to baths and beaches. Other New Zealand visitors spoken to were not unduly affected by the heat, and, now that conditions are more moderate, are glad to have been present when the heat record was broken. INTENSE HEAT. FELT 500 MILES OUT AT SEA. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, January 16. ‘For nearly 500 miles after leaving Sydney on Friday we felt the effects of the intense heat and bush fires in Australia,” said Captain A. H. Davey, master of the liner Awatea, which arrived from Sydney. “The weather was hazy, with low visibility and a red-looking sun.”

Captain Davey said the heat in Sydney was intense and that even at sea on the first day out the weather was close and dull. There was a change on Sunday, however, when glorious weather was experienced.