HEAT WAVE IN AUSTRALIA

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28481, 10 January 1958, Page 11

HEAT WAVE IN AUSTRALIA

Fires In Many

Places

[Rec. 11 p.m.) MELBOURNE. January 9.

South eastern Australia was gripped today by a heat-wave, with fires raging in several districts. The heat wave, in which the temperature soared above the century in many places is expected to spread tomorrow into New South Wales.

Victoria today had the highest temperature for more than 12 months, and in Melbourne it rose to 101 degrees. Fires broke out in many parts of Victoria and in Melbourne, this afternoon, every available fireman was called to fight outbreaks in the city and suburbs. Adelaide had a top reading of just over 103 degrees but a cool change this afternoon caused temperatures over South Australia to drop by as much as 26 degrees. The Sydney Weather Bureau expects heat wave conditions over New South Wales tomorrow and the lighting of fires in the open has been banned.

WALLABIES LOSE 6-5 ' ABERTILLERY, Jan 8. The Australian Rugby team was beaten 6-5 by Abertillery-Ebbw Vale today. The Welsh referee, Mr E L. George, ended the game six minutes too early. He had made an error earlier, when he allowed only three minutes for half-time instead of five. The Wallabies were upset with the referee for they were trying desperately to overhaul the onepoint deficit when play ended. The combined team led 6-5 at half-time, and the 34 minutes’ second half was scoreless.