MORE DEATHS IN N.S.W.

Southland Times, Issue 23716, 14 January 1939, Page 5

MORE DEATHS IN N.S.W.

Fierce Heat Reported In Country

HOSPITALS IN WESTERN TOWNS FULL

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received January 13, 11.10 p.m.) SYDNEY, January 13.

Ten more deaths attributed to the heat wave were reported from New South Wales country towns today. Fierce heat is reported from Wilcannia, where five deaths have occurred since Monday, the thermometer averaging 114 degrees for 10 days. Hospital staffs in western towns are working overtime. The majority of the country hospitals is unable to take more patients. “We have never known anything like it,” declared a hospital doctor in a western centre, referring to the prolonged intense heat. Yesterday’s deaths in the country totalled 34. The victims include seven babies.

A 12 months’ baby who was suffering from the effects of heat was flown from Leeton, where the temperature was 117 degrees, to Sydney at an altitude of 11,000 feet in an effort to save its life. The baby’s condition improved in the cooler atmosphere of the upper air. Intense heat continues in South Australia, Adelaide’s temperature being 117.7, a new high record. CYCLONE In" western AUSTRALIA PORT HEDLAND CUT OFF FROM COMMUNICATION PERTH, January 13. Fears that a major calamity has occurred as a result of a cyclone in the north-west part of Western Australia are increasing. Port Hedland is entirely cut off from every form of communication. Torrential rains have fallen in this area and also in southern parts of the state. The violent storm was followed by destructive floods, which caused damage estimated at £50,000 at Kalgoorlie and Boulder. Two persons are missing at Boulder. Two thousand miners have been left temporally unemployed at Kalgoorlie, where the streets are awash. The Kalgoorlie express was held up by landslides and washaways. At Marble Bar a madly rushing creek has cut the town into halves.