THE WEATHER

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXI, Issue 13, 29 December 1930, Page 8

THE WEATHER

TRYING HEAT. The weather in Hastings and district, which was very tricky in the early stages of December has, during the past few days, set down definitely to summer with a vengeance. Since Friday laot the temperature ran high, especially on Saturday and Sunday, the thermometer yesterday registering 92 degrees in the shade in Hastings, but a person whose business took him outside the town reports a temperature of 96 degrees. Last night, at about 8 o’clock, a thunderstorm passed over the town, the lightning being vivid and the thunder loud. The disturbance was accompanied by rain, which was very welcome, but the fall was small and short-lived. It was hoped that the electrical visitation, especially with the rain, would have cooled the atmosphere, but the result was not as definite as was anticipated, and this morning the heat was very trying. Yesterday the glass, it is reported, registered 98 degrees at Gisborne. Masterton reported 95.2 degrees. PEOPLE COLLAPSE IN CHRISTCHURCH. (Per Press Association.! Christchurch, Dec. 28. The hottest weather of this summer —indeed the hottest spell for several years—has been experienced by Christchurch over the week-end. On Friday a hot nor’-west wind blew, but the sky was overcast and the weather sultry and very oppressive, without very intense heat. On Saturday the wind increased in velocity and was of scorching heat, while the sun blazed relentlessly from a clear sky. At 10 o’clock the temperature was 85 in the shade and the maximum heat was reached at 2 p.m., when 89.9 degrees were registered. At 5.30 the thermometer still showed 85. To-day the weather was still hot but the air was slightly cooled by a light south-west breeze. On Saturday there were many’ collapses at the tennis tourney and the heat certainly affected the results of the important matches. Miss Nicholls, the New Zealand champion, collapsed exhausted. Miss Wake had a slight heat stroke or sunstroke and her partner, Miss M. Andrew, was also ill as a result of the exertion and the heat. Many other players of less distinction suffered acute distress, abandoning their games. This morning several women fainted during Cathedral services. At the cricket match yesterday and at the broadsiding in the evening numbers of male spectators discarded their coats, watching the events in their shirt sleeves. All the beaches were thronged all day. At Brighton the bathers were in the water until midnight.