HEAT WAVE IN ENGLAND.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20021, 1 September 1930, Page 11

HEAT WAVE IN ENGLAND.

LIGHTNING CAUSES DAMAGE. STEAMER AND AIR LINER STRUCK. (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—BT ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH —COPYRIGHT.) (Iteceiv->d August 31st, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, August 30. Despite the clearing effects of a thunderstorm and a fall in the temperature of fourteen degrees, London continues to swelter under tropical heat. The excessive humidity nullified the fall in the temperature. Twelve more deaths from heat are reported, including farm hands while harvesting. Lightning struck a steamer which was anchored in harbour, causing the water to rush into the engine-room. A Belgian air liner, while flying from Brussels to London, was struck by lightning. It was unable to pick up direction signals and was compelled to return to Brussels. Reports from all parts of England refer to houses and churches being struck by lightning and more or less damaged'. Hail smashed hundreds of windows in Scotland.

THUNDERSTORM IN LONDON HEAVY RAIN REPORTED. (Received August 31st, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, August 30. The stifling heat in London continued till midnight, when a thunderstorm broke unexpectedly, though terrific storms in Northern England had previously been reported. Lightning of a most vivid character lit up the sky. There was a heavy wind, and a downpour of rain reaching torrential limits in some parts of London.

MORE DEATHS REPORTED, j THE QUEST FOR COOLNESS. LONDON, August 29. The highest London temperature was 94 degrees, bringing the usual quota of deaths. Throe middle-aged women and two old men collapsed and died in London suburbs. The deaths in the provinces included a stoker, three field workers, two business men, two coal heavers, and a clerk. A party of seven flannelled youths were refused drinks at a West Lud restaurant, because they were not wearing coats. Protest' to the manageress was unavailing. Two girls in bathing drees and parasols rode on top of a bus to the terpentine, which was crowded with swimmers. The police vainly tried to prevent 300 impatient youths undressing on the grass, aftor a long and futilo wait at the entrance of the bathing sheds. The Willesden Council permitted all-night mixed bathing in its open-air baths. A striking sight at Wellington Barracks was a detachmoot of young Guardsmen, dressed in bathing outfit, carrying towels at the "port, and giving ' eyes left" .as thoy departed for the morning swim, while sentries returned the salute. The numbers of business girls going without stockings are increasing. The cafes are crowded until five o'clock in the morning. Owine to the collapse of several solcliers the manoeuvres at Aldershot, where 5000 men are campaigning, have been stopped. The forecast is for the continuance of lieat over England and local thunderstorms" in Wales and Scotland.

The football, season opens to-mor-row, but play is within tno discretion of the referees. The temperature caused the deterioration and destruction of 7000 gallons of milk at a South-West London fhe hairdressers are busy shearing women's hair. The hoat wave may result in the return of the Eton crop» Many Leicestershire coal miners were brought to the surface for treatment. A number of Derbyshire iron workers oollnpsed, and the Staffordshire and Worcestershire steel works are idle. Two more elderly men havo died.

VIOLENT ELECTRICAL STORM. DAMAGE DONE IN THE HIGHLANDS. (British omcui wireless.) RUGBY, August 29. A violent electrical storm broke over the Scottish Highlands early this morning. The lightning continued for three hours, accompanied by peals of thunder of unusual intensity. The Duke of York was staying with the King at Balmoral, and was unable to telephone to Glamis Castle, the storm having cut off communications. The storm, besides doing much damage to property, had a devastating effect on cattle and on the fieh in the rivers. -Hundreds of salmon have heen killed and the loss of cattle cannot be estimated.