CANTERBURY HEAT WAVE

Otago Witness, Issue 3487, 11 January 1921, Page 7

CANTERBURY HEAT WAVE

BIG FIRE ON THE PLAINS. OVER A HUNDRED SQUARE MILES BURNT. CHRISTCHURCH, January 1. Canterbury experienced a remarkable heat wave yesterday, and in several localities on the plain the maximum temperature in the shade exceeded TOOdeg. It is authoritatively stated that such a high “shade” temperature has not been previously registered over so great a part of Canterbury. In Christchurch the temperature in the shade was 94.3 de g—the highest recorded since 1906. To-day there is a complete change, a strong and cold south-west wind blowing. The high temperature yesterday caused a number of automatic fire alarms in and about the city to operate, and a grass fire swept a large area between Bankside and Southbridge It i.s believed that over 100 square mile 3 of country are affected, but the losses in crops stock are small. Aided by the nor’-west wind, the fire spread rapidly, and the whole countryside turned out to fight the flames. A fortunate change of wind to south-west aided their efforts in turning the fire back on its course. If the nor’-wester had held it is thought the fire would have penetrated the township of Southbridge, as it was advancing on a wide front. . Particulars of the damage sustained to individuals are not available. The loss of grazing is extensive, many fences have disappeared, and a few acres of crops are consumed.