THE GREAT HEAT WAVE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1247, 23 January 1896, Page 20

THE GREAT HEAT WAVE.

FURTHER DEATHS IN NEW SOUTH W ALES. _ Sydney, January 20. During the hot weather of the early part of last week almost all work of an arduous nature was suspended in the city, while the full staff of municipal men were watering 1 the streets to try and produce a little coolness, but the heated streets simply converted the water into steam. There were many cases of women fainting in the streets, while a little girl suddenly became demented. Sydney experienced one or two cool breezes during the remainder of the week, but the country was not so favoured, and the high rate of mortality continues. At Bourke the thermometer for the past fortnight has never got below 100 degrees, and has reached as high as 120, with a scorching wind day and night. Horses die in the streets, and birds fall from the trees Since Sunday 22 persons have died, nn'j UIUa I s , in an equally bad condition, -c-? being registered in the shade. On i; riday five were added to the long deathlisp, including Father Davern, the Catholic priest. A pathetic tale comes from Bulli. A woman was brought to the .hospital there demented,owing to sunstroke. The patient and her husband were.on tramp, and for two days tho husband carried his. 6ick wife in his arms amid the terrible heat."

Nine deaths occurred at Nyngan during the week. There have been five more deaths from the heat at Bourke.