THE HEAT IN AUSTRALIA.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1248, 30 January 1896, Page 22

THE HEAT IN AUSTRALIA.

A HEAVY MORTALITY LIST. The heat in Sydney, it is believed, has not exceeded that of Tuesday week, the 14th, at any time since a white man put his foot upon the coast of Australia. The naturally robust, in the open air, not exposed to the direct rays of the sun, found it difficult to bear ; but to the thousands of sick, to the equally numerous body of delicate, and amongst those who fight the battle of life in heated workshops, foundries, engine-rooms, to the " bullocking" man who dees his eight hours of grain - carrying, wool - shifting and stowing down in the holds of ships, and to the coal - stevedoring fraternity, such a day must have been fearful. All stevedoring and ship work was stopped, speaking generally. In the midst of it all there was at least one section of the community who, while feeling the heat and sympathising with the sickness, were kept busy. All the hotels in the city were erowded, that is at least in the heart of the city itself. From 9 a.m. the bars were blocked, and extra waiters were engaged. The ice-carts were to be seen at almost every door, and the wholestaff of the municipal anthorities were washing the streets as a cooler. The relief afforded was, however, slight, tho streets drying almost as quickly as they were watered. The peculiar glare of the sun (for one could look at it pretty well cdl day without difficulty) and the strange colour of the atmosphere were commented upon, and long after 8 o'clock in tho evening there was a large and fiery reflection in the western sky, covering an extensive area, and so brilliant as to suggest an aurora. To many it suggested the reflection of a large fire, but eventually the conclusion arrived at was that, although nearly half-past 8 o'clock, it was simply reflection of the setting sun, which had .gone down in most angry mood. Three deaths occurred in Sydney Hospital during the day. Several cases of women fainting in the streets were reported from the effects of the weather, and in Surry Hills a little girl, while walking along Riley street, just before 1 o'clock, suddenly became demented. Sydney Merewether, aged 63, a miner, who was on a visit to Sydney, and stopping at the Post Office Coffee Palace, was transacting some business at tho Union Bank at about 20 minutes past 11, when he was suddenly seized with an illness similar to that produced by a sunstroke. He was taken to the hospital, and died a few minutes after his admission. Prior to his death his pulse was described as bad, and he was gasping for breath. A labourer named William Foulston, who was employed at tho Post Office tunnel works, was stricken down by a sunstroke about noon, and died in the Sydney Hospital about four hours after admission. James Quinn, a labourer, while employed in making an embankment, became insensible from the heat, and fell a distance of about Bft. He died in Sydney Hospital. Ten deaths were reported from Bourke, and various people suecumbed in other parts of the colony. ~.,,. The demand for cool " soft drinks during the day kept all the refreshment shops in Sydney fully employed, says the Herald. In fact, most of them by noon had sold out of milk, and were unable during the afternoon to obtain a sufficient supply for their requirements. So extraordinary was tho demand for this nutritious beverage that the great refrigerating companies which lay themselves out for the milk trade were taxed beyond their capabilities. Stocks of aerated waters and fruit essences were reduced to the vanishing point. At one large retail establishment m the city the ordinary line of business was practically susnended while the assistants lent a hand in serving "cool" drinks from an ice fountain to the hundreds of people who passed in and out in an unceasing stream The Fresh Food and Ice Company reported that they disposed of no less than 100 tons of ice—double the amount of then: average daily sales in summer. The most remarkable i feature was the large number of retail orders which were received. Private families, with whom the company had never before done business, poured into their premises all day for small supplies, an unprecedentedly large number of " blocks of ice bemg disposed of. The increase in the output of the Metropolitan Ice Company was also very remarkable. Several instances were recorded in which horses driven in cabs and omnibuses were overcome by the heat and fell in the street, but so far it does not seem that any of the animals died in consequence. During all the hot weather few horses have been seen in the streets with hoods on. The reason for this is that veterinary surgeons say it is of little use protecting the head while, the rest of the, spinal xSoiwaa.iß Mt ancjoiffted. •