Real Climate Records

The recent hot spell recalls the heat wave which swept over the colony early In 1897. It was fiercer and lasted longer in the Bourke district than in any other area within the State, and although before and since higher registers have been recorded in the “Chicago of the West,” never in the memory of the pioneers of the district had such a long spell of exhausting heat been experienced. For about a month the temperature averaged 114 degrees of shade heat, while for six days in succession the glass never showed less than 118 degrees. It was after this period of

SCORCHING WEATHER

that a correspondent wired to a metropolitan daily: — “It is appreciably cooler to-day, the temperature having fallen to 117 degrees in the shade.”

But if that intimation caused merriment amongst those who read it in Sydney, matters had assumed a serious phase for those who were unfortunate enough to be in Bourke during that scorching time. Well known residents were daily being

STRICKEN DOWN

by the fierce rays of the sun, and there was an uncomfortable feeling in everyone’s mind that he or she might be the next victim. The hospital authorities were kept busy. A cool chamber was constructed. Ice, fortunately, was available, and it was used by the ton. Cabs patrolled the streets, and when a man fell—to all appearances insensible from intoxication—he was whipped away to the hospital at a gallop. His clothes were stripped from him, and he was

PACKED IN ICE

in much the same fashion as meat is preserved in a refrigerating chamber. Many persons now alive and healthy owe their lives to this treatment. It was a common occurrence for the thermometer to register 106deg. of shade heat at 8 o’clock in the morning. The residents

DID LITTLE WORK.

Outdoor employment was almost entirely suspended. Sleep was almost impossible, for the reason that throughout the night the temperature kept above 100deg. Bedrooms were deserted and beds were brought out into the yards. Even then the residents, tired and jaded looking, were unable, to sleep, and instead families attired in the scantiest raiment walked the streets fanning themselves.

Deaths became alarmingly frequent be cause of the heart. On one day

ELEVEN SUDDEN DEATHS

from heat apoplexy were recorded. Mr. Macdougall, the first manager of the Pera Irrigation settlement, left Bourke one afternoon to drive over the eight miles between the town and the farm. He reached his home, but was drowsy because of the great heat, and he reclined on a stretcher in a galvanised iron structure.- . Next day he was found dead. The thermometer on the wall within the building

recorded 130deg. of heat.

Horrifying Accounts of

FEARFUL DEATHS

from heat and thirst came in from the district. Harrowing details concerning men who went mad some time before death put an end to their miserable sufferings reached the ears of the now thoroughly frightened residents. Unfortunate travellers, who divested them

selves of

ALL THEIR CLOTHES

In their delirium, were found dead under trees that afforded but little shelter. In one or two instances the state of the bodies showed that the crows had bestowed their horrible attentions upon the luckless victims of the death-dealing heat.  A general exodus from Bourke took place. All the women and children able to leave left for more favoured localities. In a fortnight 50 deaths had occurred which were directly ascribable to the heat. The local papers published directions as to the best. methods of treating cases of slight heat, apoplexy.

Still the great heat continued.

A HAZE OF RED

dust enveloped the town as dusk approached, and the sun, when it disappeared over the horizon, appeared like a blood-red disc. It was impossible to get cool: Fortunately the supply of water was plentiful. But it was quite hot. The ground was thoroughly heated, and the small service pipes, being close

to the surface, were heated too, so that a cold bath. was not to be had. Water left in jugs Inside the house became Incredibly hot.

Any iron material exposed to the sun’s rays would blister the hand. Birds became exhausted, and dropped In the streets, or would fly into houses and would suffer to be caught. Doctors adjured the use of intoxicants. It was then male residents fled to other localities. Those who could not leave slunk into lemon-squash, saloons, and looked ashamed when detected by a crony, who was probably, on the same mission.

A well-known business man desired to leave for Sydney. His wife

and said she would attend to the business in his absence. The husband was ashamed to go without her, and showed a solicitude for the state of his better half’s health that he had never betrayed before.

Then the heat disappeared as quickly as it came, but left behind it a death-roll of 66.

Rain followed immediately in its train, and the fall was so heavy that nothing like it has been experienced in the back country for the past 12 years.