INTENSE HEAT WAVE AT CHRISTCHURCH

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LIX, Issue 10567, 29 December 1930, Page 3

INTENSE HEAT WAVE AT CHRISTCHURCH

i Hottest Spell for Several Years. TENNIS PLAYERS COLLAPSE. Christchurch, Dec. 28 The hottest spell of weather for several years was experienced at Christchurch at the week-end. On Friday a hot north-west wind blew but the sky was overcast and the weather sultry. It was very oppressive but without a very intense heat. esterday the wind increased in velocity and was of a scorching heat, while the sun blazed relentlessly from a clear sky. At 19 a.m. the temperature was 85 degrees in the shade. The maximum heat was reached at 2 p.m., when 89.9 degrees were registered. At 5.30 p.m. the thermometer showed 85 degrees. To-day the weather was still hot but the air was cooled slightly by a light south-west breeze. On Saturday many people collapsed at the tennis tourney and the heat certainly affected the results of the important matches. Miss D. Nicholls, former New Zealand champion, collapsed exhausted. Miss M. Wake had a slight heat stroke and her partner, Miss M. Andrew, was also ill as a result of the heat. Many other players also suffered acute distress and abandoned their games. This morning several women fainted during the service in the cathedral. Masterton, Dec. 28 The temperature iu the shade at Masterton this afternoon was 95.2 degrees, the highest for several years.