Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Wednesday 22 January 1896, page 5


THE GREAT HEAT IN NEW

SOUTH WALES.

NO CHANGE YET.

MORE DEATHS REPORTED.

RESIDENTS OF BOURKE PANIC-

STRICKEN.

SYDNEY, TUESDAY.

The light rain which has fallen during the past three days on the coast has penetrated inland across the mountains, with the result that only six places to-day report heat over 100deg., as compared with 63, which sent in that record yesterday. The hope that the mon-soonal depression which developed yesterday over Western Australia would bring rain has now gone, and there is not the slightest prospect of a general rain to relieve the dis-tressed settlers in the back country. In the south-east parts of the colony there has been a considerable fall in the barometer while the variations of the barometer inland seem to indicate the possibility of thunderstorms. a high-pressure depression is coming across the continent from Western Australia and the hope is expressed that it may bring some

rain and cool weather.

Single deaths from heat apoplexy are re-ported from Angledool, Moree, Condobolin Crookwell and Young.

BOURKE, TUESDAY.

The heat to-day was very trying, the thermometer registering 118deg. in the shade. Two more deaths were reported to-day. Mr. R. Rheuben, a resident of Bourke and a wool-classer, died suddenly from heat apoplexy on Saturday at Boorara, near Hungerford, and Kenneth Stewart, a local identity,

dropped down in the street last night and never regained consciousness, dying at the hospital shortly after being ad-

mitted. This brings the record to 35 deaths directly ascribable to the heat. The average heat in the shade for the month to date is over 112deg., while for the past four days the average has been 118¾deg. A large number of residents left by train this morning, and the cheap excursion trains which leave to-morrow will be largely availed of.

LATER.

The residents are really panic-stricken and hundreds are leaving for cooler cli-mates.

CONDOBOLIN, SATURDAY.

The extreme heat continues unbroken, the following being the reading for the past four days :—15th, 106deg.; 16th, 110deg.; 17th, 118deg.; 18th, 107deg., accompanied on most days by furious hot winds from north-west and north. Tanks all over the district are drying up daily, and stock-owners are having an anxious time. A large number of horses, sheep, and cattle have been re-

moved to districts that have had rains. Mr. Robert Officer, the manager of North Con-dobolin Station, has been brought into town from the station suffering from the intense heat. The doctor reports that he is progress-ing favourably.

GOODOOGA, TUESDAY.

The hot weather still continues, and there is no sign of rain. An old man named Larry Keogh, who has been working on Mogila for years, was found dead in his hut yesterday morning, death being due to heat apoplexy.

WILCANNIA, TUESDAY.

Eight deaths have so far occurred locally from the heat. Several persons were struck down yesterday and to-day, but they are pro-gressing as well as can be expected. The glass registered 117 in the shade yesterday and 118 to-day. There is no prospect of a change. Three deaths are reported from White Cliffs, and one each from Gnalta, Wonnaminta, and Tongo, all due to the

heat.