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PHENOMENAL HEAT.
ITS CONTINUANCE, IN NEW SOUTH
WALES.
HEAVY MORTTUARY RETURNS.
125 DEATHS ATTRIBUTABLE TO
HEAT APOPfEXY.
(From our Eichanges.)
SYDNEY, SATURDAY.
A trying day wet yesterday. The heat
had cleared away the misty rain before
daybreak. A temperature of 90deg. in the
shade was recorded. In the forenoon t.he
percentage of moisture in the atmosphere
went up to 87., at 3 p.m. it was 62, and
after sundown lees, a hot, dry wind then
blowing from the N.W. During the night
a mild southerly bsrater was experienced,
but it proved of slight value, and lasted
less than an hour. No rain fell during the
day here, but in the country some scattered
showers from thunderstorms were reported.
The chief interest just now centres in the
reports from the western districts, where
the death roll is daily being in
creased as a consequence of the terrible
heat. Bourke again reports 118deg in
the shade, though this was exceeded at
Brewarrina, 122' beiug reported. The
highest readings were:-105 at Binears,
107 at Young, 120 at Wilcannia, 112 at
Walgett, at Wagga 108, Narrabri 107.
Right in the south-west Enston comes out
high at 112, two degrees higher than at
Broken Hill. Over the central and western
divisions of the colony the temperature
ranged:from 100 to Biewarrina's record.
rhe continuous heat has proved sericus to
settlers. Not alone have deaths occurred,
bu, the struggling settlers' homes have
been swept away in flames as a consequence
of the bush fires. The persistence of the
heat is becoming so serious to thn people in
the districts west of the mountain range
and in inetences on this side as to call for
some special movement. Nothing like it in
the weather history of the colony has been
known previously. Along the coast den'e
fogs were the predominating and, needless
to say, dangerous featares yesterday.
Several of the steamers were unable to
enter Sydn-y Heads, and in one instance a
steamer was five hours outside before the
fog lifted.
Telegrame received include the fallow
ing:
WIlLCANNIA, FRIDAY.
The heat has bsea unbearable to-day.
The thermometer registered 119ieg in the
shade at two o'clock. Five deaths from
heat have occurred since last night, the
Rev. Father Davern being amongst the
number. He intendel toleave for Sydney
yesterday, but coaplained of being unwell
owing to the excessive heat. Last night
Dr. Itkins was caIed in, and found the
reverend gentleman unconscious. He ex
pired at two o'cloek this morning from
heat apoplexy. He has been here for the
past five years, and was universally
esteemed by all sections of the community.
The hospital is crowded, and a number of
people are dangerously ill. More deaths
are hourly expected.
BOURKE, FRIDAY.
This was another fearful day, the ther
mometer ranging up to 116 in the shade.
Three more deaths from heat apnplexy
have occurred, totalling 22 deathe since
Sunday morning. A woman named Kerr
mode died four miles from Bourke. Michael
Coleman, who was engagcd driving sheep,
died while being brought to the hospital.
John Matthews, a woolpresser, died on the
Hungerford road. It is terribly hot, and
Bourke residents are becoming worn out,
the heat day and night being so con
tinuous, with a scorching wind. Some of
the factories have been compelled to desist
work for several hours during the day.
Horses are dropping from sunstroke, and
birds are falling dead from the trees.
Two houses were burnt down early this
morning. The fire commenced in one
occupied by Mrs Girdler, who died yester
day. The body was saved from the flames.
The second house was ocoupied by William
Jackson, and owned by Mrs Peter War
moll. It was insured for J100 in the
United office.
There is a great deal obsickness amongst
elderly residents and young children. All
grass, which was growing luxuriantly a
month ago, has been wiped clean off by the
terrific beat. There is no feed, and rain is
badly needed Busineos is dull, and it is
certain that many more deaths willl occur
if the weather does not change.
GULGONG, FRIDaY.
A magisterial enquiry was held at the
Court House to-day by Mr S. T. Bishop as
to the cause of death of Robert Black,
grazier, of Tallowang, whose dead body
was found in his p eddock a htrle distance
from the house. Evidence was given by
his brother, George Black, a storekeeper,
who found the body; the sergeant of
police, and Dr. M'Creadie. A verdict was
returned of death from heat apoplexy.
The day he died was the hottest known at
Tallewang.
A thunderstorm occurred last evening.
It was dreadfully hot last night. The
thermometer to-day 105deg. in the shade.
TAMWORTH, FRIDAY.
A labourer named Charles Nicholls,
aged 54, died to-day from heat apoplexy.
He had been out all the morning, and on
returning home was taken ill. lie died in
about 20 minutes.
COWRA, FRIDAY.
A married man named Roberts, a
gardener, employed at Bangaroo station,
was brought to the Cowra Hospital yester
day suffering rom a sunstroke, and died
last night. This is the second death at
that station this week, consequent on the
heat. To.day the heat was again excessive,
and was intensified by a hot westerly wind,
occasionally veering to nearly due south.
The temperature has been 110 in the
shade.
WALGETT, FRIDAY.
The heat has b:en very oppressive this
week, the temperature averaging 111 in
the shade, the maximum being 114. On
Tuesday Mr G. W. Walker, Inspector of
Condit:onal Purchases, visited Csrinda and
succumbed to heat apoplexy. Yesterday
a workman employed on the road contract
at Combogolong died suddenly, and a pro,
duce dealer also died suddenly 25 miles
from the town.
WEST WYALONG, FRIDAY.
Terrific heat has prevailed to-day and
has been aggravated by hot winds. The
thermometer at the post-office registered
114 at four o'clock this afternoon, and still
higher readings were obtainable in the
town. The excreme beat is having a
marked eff ct on mining operations, as the
men employed on the surface ate unable to
do a usual day's work. The air below-is
bad in many instances, and business gener
ally is feeling 'the ill effeats of the pro
longed spell of heat. A bush fire is burn-,
ing in the scrub to the westward of the
town. The water supply in the Government
water shaft at Pine Ridge is already show.
ing signs of becoming inadequate to the
demands made on it.
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