THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 185

WINDS.

On only two or three days in each of the years 1852, 1853, and 1854, was any thunder
heard.

It has been a matter of surprise and speculation that the hot N.W. winds proceeding di-
rectly from the snow should produce considerable heat, instead of (as would appear natural) an
opposite sensation; nor can it be accounted for by the air traversing the plains, as the heat is
found fully as sensible, and perhaps more so, at the foot of the snowy range.

We may, perhaps, account for it thus:-We find this hot N.W. wind is preceded by cloud-
less serenity; therefore a great deal of radiation is taking place. The melting surface of the
snow covering the heights releases latent heat, causing the atmosphere to become highly rarefied,
which consequently rises, but, meeting an upper current, becomes cool and condensed, and rushes
towards the coast, carrying at first a portion of the lower strata of caloric, the immediate sensible
precursor of the gale. In a few hours the equilibrium is restored, and condensed moisture falls
in rain, which is frequently the termination of the gale.*

At Akaroa this gale is seldom felt, being sheltered by the Peninsular mountains. In this
place the sea breeze follows the bends of the harbour. S.W.† gales follow N.W. winds, and blow
very hard. The land wind has more than ordinary strength in passing Akaroa Heads in the
morning.

At Otago no register appears to have been kept previous to 1854.
Our information regarding the weather there is gathered from an intelligent pilot, who
resided sixteen years near the Heads.

North winds are rare. The ordinary sea breeze is N.E. It seldom blows from east.
S.E. winds are accompanied by thick, hazy weather, but seldom blow home.
South winds do not blow strongly, unless they veer to S.S.W. and S.W.
The winds off the land are the strongest, and W.N.W. winds blow the hardest, the latter
being at times a hot wind. The squalls from this quarter are heavy.
The heaviest gales are in November, often with large hailstones.
The dirtiest weather is in June and July. January is the hotest, and July the coldest month.
Snow falls and lies on the ground for two or three days in June, July, and August. S. to S.E.
is the rainy quarter.

The pilot considered that there are about thirty days in the year when it would not be pru-
dent to cross the bar because of the swell, which is worse in attempting to leave. He states that
1853 was a peculiarly dry season. It is curious that in that year there should have fallen at Can-
terbury nearly double the annual average amount of rain, and that in all other parts of New
Zealand it was remarkably dry.

The affects on the barometer may be generally assumed as similar to those of Canterbury,
allowing for 2\u00bd\u00b0 higher latitude: At Otago there is much more fog.

Cape Saunders to Foveaux Strait, and to the West Coast of Middle Island.

There is less information of the weather in this district. In summer season the N.E. winds
and Otago weather extend to the Traps; but after passing the meridian of Stewart Island, a very
different climate may be met with. We found on two occasious that on approaching the west
coast, N.N.W. gales blew down the west coast, with thick foggy weather.

It is said that in summer easterly winds blow occasionally for six weeks at a time. It is,
therefore, as well for vessels bound eastward at that season to pass considerably south of this
latitude, unless it is wished to make a landfall.

We may allow the district between Hawke's Bay and the East Cape the superiority of
Climate; although that of Nelson is more bracing.

The bay of Islands claims an exception from the ordinary humidity of the northern district.
Auckland is subject to more moisture, although no more rain falls than is necessary for the
prolific vegetation, which its excellent soil and delightful temperature produce.

The summer during two years, 1853 and 1854, was even too dry, threatening a drought.

• Perhaps this hot wind is a tail of an Australian "brickfielder." Compare relative positions on the map;
  and consider the direction from which this remarkable wind blows. It is not felt far north or south of this par-
  ticular section of New Zealand.-R. F.
  † S.E. outside, and in Cook Strait.