HIGH TEMPERATURE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19856, 28 January 1928, Page 12

HIGH TEMPERATURE.

HEAT IN CHRIST CHURCH. EXODUS TO BEACHES. GOOD DOWNPOUR NEEDED. [BY TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPONDENT.] C.HRISTCHUBCH, Friday. The recent spell of hot, dry weather culminated to-day in the record temperature for the present summer being registered. In sympathy with a light northwester, the mercury rose to 89.5 degrees', in the shade, beating the previous highest temperature of the season of 87 degrees recorded on December 29 last, and alsc the record of February 6, 1927, when 89.2 degrees was reached, the hottest day for some considerable time. To-day was uncomfortably sultry, and the beaches, baths, and other cool spots wore eagerly sought. Even later in the evening there was no sign of a cool change, and but litle relief from the oppressive heat. The pastures have suffered severely as the result of the hot leather and total absence of rail/, and a good downpour is badly needed. EAST COAST RESORTS. WATER SUPPLIES VERY LOW. HOLIDAY-MAKERS' SHIFTS. Water has become a very scarce commodity in several of the seaside resorts on the east coast north of Auckland. Pooplo returning from some of these resorts state that the holiday makers have been put to considerable labour in carrying water from small pools or wells, and the utmost economy has to be observed in its use. Beach dwellers, however, make very light ok' the shifts to which they are put, as they have enjoyed the overwhelming compensation of unbroken fine weather on holidays. An instance of how precious water has become at Waiwera occurred on Thursday, when the Blue forces (Royal 'Marines), who were defending Waiwera in the course of the naval manoeuvres, sought water supplies. A charge of 7s 6d was made for filling a 10-gallon cask, or 9d a gallon. In the ordinary course water would have been supplied gratuitously, but every measure is being taken to conserve the supplies at this resort. SWAMP AREA ON FIRE. OUTBREAK NEAR TE AWAMUTU SMOKE ENVELOPES COUNTRYSIDE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] TE AWAMUTU. Friday. The lires in the Monavale swamp, beyond Hairini, about six miles from Te Awamutu, are still raging and travellers along the road to Cambridge have to pass through the devastated area, dense smoke making travelling very unpleasant. Settlers in the neighbourhood have to live and work in the smoke and fire area. At present men are patrolling the road day and night, so as to give the alarm tor more help if the fire makes progress •sufficient to menace the safety of the road. All the unimproved swamp land beyond Mr. Storey's property is a mass of burnt peat, with the charred sticks of what was formerly manuka scrub showing above the ash. The firo is right up to the road on both side 3 and has made progress to the southward over Mr. Harrison's farm. Ditches have been dug or deepened in the hope that the lire will not pass, while along the roadside fern and manuka have been cut back. RANGITIKEI NEEDS RAIN. YOUNG CROPS AFFECTED. WATER SUPPLY SHORTAGE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] MARTON, Friday. Evidence of the severity of the present spell of dry weathpr and the crying need for rain in the Rangitikei is contained in the fact that so far this month only ,05in. of rain has fallen, and this fall occurred as far back as January 2. The average rainfall for the month, taken over a period of 20 years, is 3.04 in., and when it is considered that the dryest month inside 20 years had a rainfall of a quarter of an 'inch the seriousness of the situation can bo realised. The country has a parched appearance and young crops of rape and turnips are badly in need of rain. A shortage of water supplies is also causing concern and all sections of the community are feeling tho effects. Fortunately no serious grass fires have occurred. . SITUATION IN TARANAKI. MILK SUPPLY DOWN. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] NEW PLYMOUTH, Friday. The effect of tho dry spell on the Elthain Dairy Company's operations is that the milk supply is down 6 per cent, compared with tho same time last ycai, and tho daily output is 10 crates, or approximately 14cwt., of cheese less. Rain is being eagerly looked for in that district. For tho last two nights there have been very heavy dews, which must have been good for grass. Some of tho fields in which cows depend upon small creeks rlinriiiig through them for their water supply are now almost waterless. Many of the root crops urgently need rain. South Taranaki is also feeling the want of moisture and it is considered in tho Pale,a district to bo the driest summer since 1908, when there was no rainfall' between January 1 and February 20. An old resident says he has known only two drier seasons in 50 years' residence in the- district. - • • « •