HEAT WAVE IN SYDNEY

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 74, 6 March 1931, Page 2

HEAT WAVE IN SYDNEY

DEATH OF TWO MEN. Two people died and over 50 persons were treated in hospital in Sydney on Friday, February 20. as a result of heat which'„,'inade the day the third hottest February day in Sydney's history. In the country flocks of sheep suffered severely and at Baicaldine. Queensland, 200 sheep perished, in spite of extensive watering by hand. In Melbourne, on the other hand, the day was more like a winter day. in Sydney and suburbs many people collapsed in' hospital wards, and ambu hiucc stations were busy. The inmates of State and private homes for the aged had a particular trying day. The two fatal cases were:Mr- John Hayes, aged (10, of Darlinghurst, a returned soldier, who collapsed and died while walking in a Sydney street, and Thomau William Myall Laycock, also aged fiO, of Undereliffe, who died at Newtown.

With energy sapped by a sleepless night: —for jn spile of the change on the previous afternoon, the evening did not,

remain cool—people went to their offices in bad conditions to face the day 3 heat. j.k The minimum temperature at B.ir> pra on the Thursday was the highest minimum recorded iu February since 1888, and from early on the Friday the mercury rose spasmodically, according to the mugginess or dryness of the day. More light suits were noticed in the city than usual on hot days, and although these were soaked by a downpour late,- on the wearers did not regret their attire. At 2.10 p.m. the temperature reached its maximum of 104.1 degrees. Only in 102(5, when there was a temperature of 107. S decrees, and last year, when the thermometer recorded 106 degrees, have there been higher February readings. Many people fainted in city stores, hut recovered sufiiciently to enable them to go home.