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THE HEAT WAVE
STILL OVER THE
CENTURY
HUMIDITY CONTINUES
HIGH
For the sixth successive day, Can-
berra and district . sweltered in tem-
peratures in excess of 100 degrees,
the maximum reading at the Acton
Meteorological Station being 103.6
degrees.
Although the shade temperature
was more than four degrees lower
than the record of Wednesday, con-
ditions were extremely unpleasant
owing to the high humidity of 72.2
per cent.
At 3 p.m. the temperature at Ac-
ton station reached 102.2 degrees, but
the mercury continued to rise until
the maximum of 1o3.6 was reached
at approximately 330 p.m.
All district centres felt the full
blast of the heat Ave, the maximum
shade temperature ' at Goulburn be-
ing 105 degrees.
Throughout the day a heavy pall
of smoke from forest fires obscured
the sun, but a cool easterly breeze
early in the evening gave relief.
EFFECT ON PLANTS
Hundreds of ornamental trees in
the parks and gardens of Canberra
appear to have been killed as a re-
sult of the excessive heat experienced
during the past fortnight.
The foliage of the beautiful Rowan
trees in the vicinity of Parliament
House has ,withered, and in some
cases whole trees have wilted.
Clumps of berries prematurely red-
dened by the scorching sun have vir-
tually roasted on the branches*
Many flowering shrubs have been
unable to stand six days with tem-
peratures over the 100 mark, while
the landscape generally presents a
parched appearance unparalleled in
the city's history.
FATALITY AMONG LIVE'STOOK
SYDNEY, Thursday.
The contest between Ivanhoe and
Bourke for the title of the' hottest
town in the State continues.
In Bourke, a thermometer at an
hotel rose to 123 degrees, and to add
to the discomforture, a fierce dust-
storm swept the town.
Much loss of live stock has re-
sulted.
WATER SENT BY RAIL
' SYDNEY, Thursday.
The Railways Department is re-
ceiving urgent calls for water from
many Riverina centres. Jerilderie
has been receiving 15,000 gallons
weekly since the beginning of the
year. Last month, 45,000 gallons
were sent from Wagga to Lockhart.
The temperatures recorded were:
Wilcannia 117, Bourke 115, Broken
Hill 114, Hay 114, Wentworth 113,
Dubbo 113, Walgett 112, Wagga 111,
Albury 109 and Goulburn 105.
Relief from the heat wave condi-
tions were forecast to-night. The As
pistant Meteorologist (Mr. Newman)
said that during the next day or so
some isolated thundershowers should
develop and that during the week-end
the weather will be mainly unsetled
as a widespread tropical storm was
advancing from Western Australia.
The maximum temperatures in the
capital cities yesterday were:
Sydney . 84.7
Canberra .' .-... 103.2
Melbourne . 76
Brisbane . 84.9
Adelaide.. 117.9
Hobart .< .... 69.9
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