HEAT WAVE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 32, 8 February 1943, Page 4

HEAT WAVE

CONDITIONS IN NORTH MOST FIRES UNDER CONTROL (O.C. WHANGAREI, this day. At abnormally high Jevels all the week, Whangarei temperatures reached their peak yesterday, a thermometer hung in the shade on a verandah recording 102 degrees. Swimming. pools and beaches were crowded with people seeking rejief from the incessant heat. Attendances at theatres and entertainments have dropped noticeably while dancers have appeared in shorts. A light drizzle last night eased the heat wave slightly, but the rain was insufficient to assist the fire fighters or relieve the parched pastures. Campers are carting water from Whangarei, while settlers in the Otamatea district are drawing supplies from cream cans on the back trip from factories.

While most of the bush fires are now under control, that at Pipiwai continues to cause grave anxiety. Already two houses, a cottage and the old disused Morningside Timber Company's mill have been engulfed in the flames. In all instances sparks leaped cordons cut and dug by settlers. A high wind is driving the blaze in the direction of Motatau settlement, there is a large Maori settlement. Soldiers were again on guard in the Crown area at Ruakaka to-day, but, unless further bush is ignited by the few smouldering logs remaining, the danger will pass by to-morr6w.