CONTINUANCE OF HEAT WAVE

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25724, 9 February 1949, Page 4

CONTINUANCE OF HEAT WAVE

112 Degrees Recorded At Whiterock HOT DAYS AGAIN PREDICTED The heat wave continued in Christchurch yesterday with a maximum temperature at noorf of 93.5 degrees—.2 degrees lower than the maximum temperature on Monday. It was the third day in succession on which the temperature in Christchurch has exceeded 90 degrees. A temperature of 109 degrees was recorded at Loburn Homestead, but the highest temperature was 112 degrees ,at Whiterock, about 12 miles north of Rangiora.

“There is no sign of a cold spell for Canterbury.” said an official of the Weather Office. Wellington, last evening, when asked by ‘’The Press” how long the spell was likely to continue. It was possible that temperatures would drop slightly to-day, but any southerly or easterly conditions would be only temporary, he added. The hot weather is still general in Canterbury, Otago and Southland, but south of Dunedin temperatures dropped by about 15 4o 20 degrees yesterday., They were still high, however. In the North Island the weather is still generally cloudy, with rain in some areas.

High temperatures were recorded at the Meteorological Observatory early yesterday morning, but by noon the temperature had reached its peak and it fell in the afternoon. There was a higher percentage of humidity than on Monday afternoon and this made the heat much more oppressive. At 6 ajn. the temperature was 63 degrees, at 8 a.m. 79 degrees, at 11 o’clock 92 degrees, and at noon 93.5. On Monday the maximum temperature was recorded about 2.45 p.m. The maximum ‘temperature recorded- 1 at the Weather Office, Wigram. was 91.8 degrees shortly before noon. Highest Temperature

At 11.45 a.m. yesterday a temperature of 112 degrees was recorded under proper conditions by a farmer at Whiterock. By 3 p.m. the temperature had dropped to 101 degrees. At Loburn, where a temperature of 104 degrees was recorded on Monday,. 109 degrees was reached yesterday, and by 3 p.m. the temperature had dropped to 88. degrees.

At Rangiora yesterday records were broken, when at 11 a.m. a reading of 93.5 degrees was taken. At noon a shade reading of a reliable thermometer near the post office showed 98 degrees. At Kaianoi the maximum temperature was 96.5 degrees at 11 o’clock. The temperature at Cheviot at noon yesterday was 91 degrees. The maximum temperature recorded at Ashburton yesterday was 87.6 degrees. and at Timaru the maximum was 82.4 degrees. 11.2 degrees lower than on Monday. There was a temperature of 96 degrees at Temuka, which was the highest for the •summer. Keeping Cool Last evening beaches were packed with thousands of bathers and it was estimated that there were more bathers after 5 o’clock than at week-ends. The sea - was warm and many were still swimming at a late hour last evening. Baths were well patronised,during the day and during the lunch hour there were queues waiting for admission to the Tepid Baths. The river banks were also crowded dirring the lunch hour, and many sat on the bank and dabbled their feet in the water. Few office workers were wearing suits and many seen were wearing open-necked shirts and flannels.

There was a record consumption water for a week-day in Christchurch on Monday, 13.400,000 gallons being used. According to the assistant city engineer (Mr A. H. Jecks). the pumps have been able to keep pace with consumption. There has been a breakdown in the pumps supplying water to .Lyttelton, and there may be complete shutdowns to-day. At Timaru the city engineer (Mr R. J. Comrie) has issued a warning that unless the "irresponsible” use of hoses is stopped, strict conditions will be imposed. Restrictions on the use of hoses were imposed last week. The pressure has been reduced in the city’s reservoir and the fire brigade has been hampered by the low pressure.

There have been very small attendances at picture theatres in the city on the last two nights. "We are nearly empty.” said one manager. “I have never seen theatres so empty in my 23 years’ experience.” Ice cream manufacturers were busy during the day. The manager of one firm said that between two and three times as much as the usual quantity was being sent out. The Medical Officer of Health (Dr. J. H. Blakelock) said last evening that people should avoid over exposure to the sun and undue fatigue.