96
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

ABSTRACT of METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS, New Zealand, for the Month of DECEMBER, 1870.

• For three years.

NOTES.

Mongonui.—Strong N. wind from 1st to 2nd; thunder on afternoon of 6th; otherwise weather fine up to 26th, when it came on
to blow from S.E. with rain; continued wet, close, and unpleasant weather for remainder of month. Prevailing wind from
N.W.

Auckland.--Strong wind on 1st, N.E.; on 12th and 13th stormy from S.W., with showers; on 19th strong S.W. wind; on
28th, 29th, and 30th, wet and stormy from E. There were some fine pleasant days, but generally the weather was wet, with
high winds, chiefly from S.W.; thunder on 7th.

Taranaki.—Unpleasant weather at this station, wet and stormy, with frequent thunder, occurring on five days in beginning
of month; strong gale on 2nd from N., and on 5th from N.W., with thunder, lightning, and rain, hail on 4th; there were
occasional fine bright days. Prevailing wind S.W.

Napier.—Blew hard on 3rd from N.W.; on 12th from S. with rain; also, on 19th, strong N.E. wind; otherwise weather was
fine; very slight rainfall. Prevailing wind from N.E.

Wellington.—Pleasant weather during the month, occasionally very fine, bright, and warm, with pleasant showers at intervals ;
very stormy on 3rd, 4th, and 5th, from N.W.; otherwise winds moderate, and prevailed from N.W.; thunder on the 16th;
slight earthquake on the 18th at 7:38 p.m., and on the 31st slight shakes during the night.

Nelson.—On 2nd severe thunder storm with heavy rain from N.; on 6th thunder and lightning, and stormy from N.W. with
heavy rain, 2.30 inches fell in three hours; also stormy on 7th from S.W.; on 5th strong west wind; otherwise weather
generally fine, with moderate winds, chiefly from W., S.W., and N.W.

Christchurch.—Fine generally during month, refreshing showers occasionally. Winds light, chiefly from N.E. and S.W.

Bealey.—At times bright and clear, but usually wet, cold, and disagreeable, with several stormy days, especially on 1st, 7th, 8th,
and 21st from N.W.; 4.640 inches of rain recorded on 6th for previous 24 hours; snow on 4th, 5th, and 6th; thunder on
5th. 21 days of N.W. wind.

Hokitika.—On 4th, 5th, and 6th, heavy gale from E. and N.E., with thunder and heavy rain, and hail on 5th; on night of 7th
heavy squalls with large hailstones, wind N.W.; heavy squalls of wind and rain from N. on 16th; generally showery and
stormy up to this date, and then the weather changed, and was usually fine and bright for remainder of month. Slight
earthquake on 19th, at 7-15 p.m. Auroras on 17 and 18th. Prevailing wind from N.W.

Dunedin.—Pleasant weather on the whole; rain rather frequent in early part of month, but light and pleasant; stormy on 16th
and 17th from S. and S.W.; and on 27th from same quarter; hail on 4th. Wind prevailed from S.W. and W.

Southland.—Weather on whole fine, but showery and very cold; strong winds on 7th, 11th, and 20th from N. and W. Prevail-
ing wind from W. Frequent Auroras, very brilliant on 18th.

GENERAL REMARKS.

Very strong northerly winds in early part of month throughout the Colony, accompanied at times with severe thunder,
lightning, hail, and rain; latter part of month was generally fine and pleasant at all the stations.

JAMES HECTOR, Inspector.

Printed under the authority of the New Zealand Government, by GEORGE DIDSBURY, Government Printer, Wellington.