The greatest cold registered by exposed thermometers was 20°0 on the night of the 26th; twelve other nights in the month were more or less frosty. The greatest heat in the sun’s rays was 95°2. Range between the extreme temperature of day and night: 75°2. There were no gales or very high winds. The greatest velocity of the wind in 24 hours was 262 on the 29th. Total range of temperature in the shade, 43°3; or from 74°7 to 31°4. The mean temperature of the month, 54°6, was exactly the same as for the last four years. The total rainfall, 0·632 inches, was 0·370 below the mean for the month. Spontaneous evaporation, 2·474 inches. Mean direction of the wind, east by south.

Rainfall from January 1 to April 30, each year, as follows:

1868 ... 12·962 inches on 39 days
1867 ... 6·057 " " 18 days
1866 ... 7·648 " " 27 days
1865 ... 6·954 " " 26 days
1864 ... 3·960 " " 26 days

HOKITIKA.

A very unsettled month. More or less rain fell, on an average, on two days out of every three; the heaviest falls being 1·14, 1·03, and 1·87 inches on the 2nd, 4th, and 13th, respectively. The total fall, 8·97 inches, on 20 days. There were gales or very high winds on the 5th, 11th, 18th, and 19th; and thunderstorms on the nights of the 3rd and 19th. Fog occurred on five days, and frost on three nights. Relative humidity, 96 in the highest monthly mean yet registered at the station. Mean direction of the wind, east, north-east.

Rainfall from January 1st to April 30th, each year, as follows:—

1868 ... 88·52 inches on 71 days
1867 ... 34·30 " " 72 days
1866 ... 63·60 " " 99 days

BEALEY.

Weather throughout somewhat similar to what prevailed at Hokitika; very wet in the beginning of the month especially. Rain fell on 20 days equal to 8·34 inches. The heaviest fall was 1·94 inches on the 4th. There were occasional slight fogs in the morning or evening. Gales of wind occurred on the 18th and 29th. Frost on twenty nights; the greatest cold registered was 16°0 on the 26th. Mean direction of the wind north-west by west. Rainfall from January 1st to April 30th, 36·75 inches on 65 days.

R. L. HOLMES,
Observer, Christchurch.

May 12, 1868.

Provincial Secretary’s Office,
Christchurch, 14th May, 1868.

HIS Honor the Superintendent directs it to be notified that he has appointed CONSTABLE CHARLES GREENWOOD to be Inspector of Slaughter-houses for the Christchurch District, vice Constable George Beatty transferred.

EDWD. JOLLIE,
Provincial Secretary.

COMMISSIONERS’ REPORT.—
SHIP GAINSBOROUGH.

THE Commissioners having visited the ship Gainsborough on her arrival in Port, are happy to be able to give a very favourable report, both as to the cleanliness and order shewn in the various compartments, and the general expression of content and satisfaction among the immigrants.

The provisions are stated to have been of good quality, and amply supplied, with the exception of flour, some samples of which had been condemned.

The condenser (Graveley’s) had worked well throughout the voyage.

The conduct of the single female immigrants was stated by the captain, surgeon-superintendent, and matron to have been good. Some difficulties had, however, arisen from a cause to which the Commissioners have had the honour of drawing the attention of the Government in previous reports, viz., the allowing single young men as saloon passengers in ships carrying Government immigrants. In this case, no misconduct of a grave nature occurred, but the vigilance of those in charge had been considerably taxed.

The supply of medical comforts and of medicines had been ample.

Neither birth nor death, nor any case of dangerous illness, had occurred on the voyage.

The Commissioners recommend that all gratuities be paid. They are happy to be able to remark that the suggestion made by them some time since—that the hospital devoted to the single females should be in their own compartment, instead of in the married people’s—has in this instance been carried out.

JOHN T. ROUSE,
FRED. D. GIBSON,
DAVID M. MACKAY.