The highest reading on the official records at the Weather Bureau is 127deg., which occurred at Bourke
on January 17, 1877. and again 125deg. in January, 1909.In February, 1892, Balranald recorded I25deg. ; it January, 1896, Brewarrina 123: December, 1879, Coonabarabran 125.6 ; Deniliquin 121.1 in January, 1878 ; and Euston 124.8 in December. 1897. With these extremes of past years in mind, the recent conditions during which the highest were : — Jerry’s Plains, 118 deg. ; Pilliga, 117 Bourke, Brewarrina, Narrabri, each 116; and, Moree, Walgett, Coonamble, each with l5deg., are obviously far from being records in the history of heap in New South Wales. But it is not usual for such a vast area (as was the case during the past week) to be affected at the same time. For then the isotherms enclosing readings of l00deg. and over almost surrounded the whole of Australia. A notable exception was Sydney, although it must be admitted that even here, with the protecting influence of sea breezes and frequent southerly