North Queensland Register (Townsville, Qld. : 1892 - 1905), Wednesday 22 January 1896, page 7


THE HEAT WAVE.

CONTINUED HIGH TEMPERATURE

120 DEATHS.

RESIDENTS FLEEING TO THE

HILLS.

(By Telegraph.)

SYDNEY, Sunday.

The temperature of Sydney was cool to-day, but the inland districts report phenomenal heat.

There have been a large number of additional deaths, and within the last fortnight over 120 deaths are directly

attributable to the heat.

At Condobolin the thermometer regis-tered 118 degrees in the shade, and wa-ter is so scarce the selectors are carting supplies for stock for miles.

Nine deaths occurred at Nyngan. One of the deceased, Henry Walton, drew a prize of £1400 in the last Melbourne Cup sweep. There are several other

cases of sunstroke from which there is no hope of recovery.

The residents are so much alarmed, that many are leaving for the high lands.

Two dangerous cases of sunstroke are reported at Taree, and one at Bel-lingen.

At Grenfell the wind is said to be like a blast from a furnace.

Singleton, Bathurst, Grafton, and St. Mary's also record extreme heat for the past three weeks.

At Coonamble the maximum tempera-ture has been over 100 deg. in the shade each day for three weeks.

Telegrams from Cootamundra to-day state the body of John Gordon, who has been an engineer for roads for many years, was found yesterday in a dry creek near Temora. Deceased left Cootamundra early last week on an official trip, but previously express-ed a fear that he would meet his death during the journey. He actually re-turned to town on Wednesday, owing to the dread that oppressed him, but on the following morning, however, he de-parted again. It is supposed he was the victim of the terrible heat which prevailed for the past week.

The Government Astronomer states the conditions of the Interior of the co-lony has prevented any moisture fall-ing from the monsoonal depression, consequently the hoped for downpour has passed away. The southerly winds which are now blowing ought, however, to bring about a lowering of the temper-ature over the whole colony.

Three more deaths, caused by heat, are reported from Wilcannia, three

from Bourke, two from Blayney, and one from Hillgrove.

SYDNEY, Monday.

The Commissioner of Railways pro-mised a deputation of members of Par-liament to run a special train every Friday at holiday excursion rates for the next month to enable settlers resi-dent in the Western part of the colony to reach the mountains to escape the great heat prevailing.