HEAT WAVE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 18762, 29 December 1930, Page 8

HEAT WAVE.

CHRISTCHURC SWELTERS. By Telegraph—Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, December 28. The hottest weather of this season—the hottest spell for several years—has been experienced by Christchurch over the week-end. On Friday, a hot nor’-west wind blew, but the sky was overcast and the weather was sultry and very oppressive without very intense heat. On Saturday the wind increased in velocity, and was of scorching heat, while the sun blazed relentlessly from a clear sky. At 10 o’clock the temperature was 85 in the shade, and the maximum heat was reached at 2 p.m., 89.9 degrees. At 5.30 the thermometer still showed 85. To-day the weather was still hot, but the air was slightly cooled by a light south-west breeze. On Saturday there were many collapses at the tennis tourney, and the heat certainly affected the results of important matches. Miss Nicholls, New Zealand champion, collapsed exhausted. Miss Wake had a slight heat stroke or sunstroke, and her partner, Miss M. Andrew, was also ill as a result of exertion and heat. Many other players of less distinction suffered acute distress, abandoning tneir games. This morning several women fainted during the Cathedral service. At the cricket match yesterday and at the broadsiding in the evening a number of male spectators discarded coats, watching the events in shirt sleeves. All the beaches were thronged all day. At New Brighton, bathers were in the water until midnight. HOTTEST FOR YEARS. By Telegraph—Pres* As/'ociatU'n MASTERTON, December 28. The shade temperature in Masterton this afternoon reached 95.2 degrees, the highest for several years.