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and steady rain fell on that and the two following days, with a strong cold S.W. wind which increased at times to a gale; about this time and after large quantities of snow fell on the higher parts of the plains and among the mountains. The month closed with every appearance of a continuance of this rough weather.

Compared with three previous years the month shows an increase of 2°·2 in mean temperature, chiefly on account of warmer nights, there being much less frost than usual. The mean temperature of nocturnal radiation was 33°·4 against 30°·9 the average for the month. The total range of temperature in shade was 34°·7, or from 62°·1 to 27°·4. The total rainfall, 3·507 inches, exceeds the average by 1·39 inches; the number of rainy days being about equal. On the night of the 10th, the coldest in the month, the exposed thermometer on grass fell to 19°·1; the minimum in the shade at the same time, 27°·4. Mean daily range, 14°·3 against 15°·3. Amount of cloud, 4·3 against 4·6. Highest and lowest mean daily temperature, 53°·4 and 36°·7. Frosty nights, 10, compared to 20 the average for the month. Sheet lightning was seen on the evening of the 7th; and lunar halos on the nights of the 11th, 12th, and 17th. Mean direction of the wind, S.E. by E.

Rainfall from January 1 to July 31 each year as follows:—

1864 ... 10·240 inches on 56 days.
1865 ... 17·270 " 58 "
1866 ... 12·330 " 46 "
1867 ... 17·931 " 51 "

Rainfall at Lyttelton in July, 3·971 inches on 13 days.

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HOKITIKA.

At this station the general character of the month was cold, wet, and gloomy. Much rain fell, particularly from the 14th to the 20th. A few fine days occurred at the beginning of the month, also from the 8th to the 11th, and from the 23rd to the 27th. More or less rain fell on 22 days, but no snow or hail. A thunder storm with much lightning took place on the night of the 16th; and a hard S.E. gale blew on the night of the 30th and on the 31st. The 14th was the wettest day, when 2·15 inches of rain were collected. Total rainfall, 12·49 inches. The mean temperature of the month, 47°·2, was 2°·3 above July, 1866, and 1°·4 above the mean temperature at Christchurch. Frost occurred on eight days only, the coldest night being the 1st, when the exposed thermometer fell to 27°·0. Mean direction of wind, S.E.

Rainfall from January 1 to July 31, 46·79 inches on 94 days, against 71·09 inches on 113 days, during the same period in 1866.

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BEALEY.

The month commenced with a few fine days, but from the 7th to the 23rd very rough, cold, wet weather prevailed, rain falling, more or less, every day except the 11th, 12th, 19th, and 20th. The 24th to the 27th were bright and clear, but the close of the month was very stormy, with much snow on the 30th and 31st. Total rainfall, 12·132 inches on 21 days, including four days on which snow fell. Thunder without lightning was heard on the 8th. Solar halos were seen on the 17th, 22nd, and 29th. The mean temperature of the month, 41°·0, was 4°·8 below Christchurch. Frost on 17 days. The mean direction of the wind was N.W. by W. Greatest velocity of the wind, in 24 hours ending 9.30 A.M., 572 miles, on the 30th; at 9.30 P.M. on the same day, 693 miles were registered as having passed the station, or a mean velocity of nearly 29 miles per hour. As this gale continued on into August, it will be more fully reported in the returns for that month.

R. L. HOLMES,
Meteorological Observer,
Christchurch.

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CHRISTCHURCH :

Printed, under the authority of the Provincial Government of the Province of Canterbury, at the ‘Press’ Office, Cashel-street, by JAMES EDWARD FITZGERALD, Official Printer for the time being to the said Government.