THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
273

ABSTRACT of METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS, New Zealand, for the Month of MARCH, 1871.

• Five years.

† Two years only.

NOTES FOR MARCH, 1871.

Mongonui. Unusually wet and unsettled weather; strong westerly gale on 6th and on 14th; 15th stormy from E., with rain;
showery and stormy on 19th from N.E.; stormy on 21st from N.E., changing to S.W. on 25th, with heavy rain and
continued storm; fine during rest of month. Maximum rainfall on 25th, 1.70 inch, and prevailing wind from S.W.
Maximum temperature on 18th, 78.0.

Auckland. Observer remarks that strong winds and heavy rains prevailed during month, with short intervals of bright
pleasant days. Heavy rain on 5th from S.W., also on 6th and 7th, with thunder and hail. A strong North-easter from
14th to 16th; generally wet up to 19th. On 22nd N.E. gale, becoming very violent on 24th, and increasing to perfect
hurricane at midnight; 1.360 mile of wind registered on 25th for previous twenty-four hours. Considerable damage done;
houses and trees blown down, and vessels wrecked in harbour. On 25th wind lulled, and shifted to N.W. at 10 a.m.,
chopping suddenly round to W., from which quarter it blew with still greater fury for an hour. During this change, serious
damage done. At 11 a.m. wind fell quickly, and at night it was completely calm. During this storm the barometer fell
from 29.763 on 24th, to 29.127 on 25th; on 26th it had risen again to 29.946. Not much rain during this gale. On the
14th and 15th there were strong N.E. winds. Prevailing winds from N.E. Maximum rainfall on 7th, 1.000 inch.
Maximum temperature on 4th, 76.5.

Taranaki.--Showery dull weather generally, and light winds, except on 26th and 27th, when it was stormy from W., with rain,
thunder, and lightning. Prevailing wind from N.E. Maximum rain on 25th, 1.160 inch. Maximum temperature on
19th, 77°.

Napier. Very wet disagreeable weather generally throughout month. On 1st strong southerly gale, with heavy rain; thunder
storm on 6th; wind N.W., with rain; on 16th heavy showers of rain and thunder from N.E.; on 27th stormy from S.W.
Maximum rain on 6th, 1.52 inch. Prevailing wind from N.E. Maximum temperature on 27th, 76°. Slight earth-shake on
13th at 1.30 a.m.

Wellington. Wet disagreeable weather on 1st; rain commenced again on 5th from S.E., light wind and very heavy rain at
night; towards morning wind changed to S.W. and blew hard, with continued rain; 3.650 inches of rain registered on
morning of 6th, which fell chiefly during night of 5th; the heaviest rainfall recorded in Wellington. Barometer on 6th,
28.586. Floods caused much damage. Storm abated on 7th, but still showery; northerly weather up to 24th, generally
very oppressive, but at times pleasant showers; sheet lightning on night of 16th, very close. On night of 24th changed to
S.E., and brought heavy rain; cleared off again on evening of 25th; cold S.W. weather for remainder of month, with
occasionally strong wind; hail and thunder storm with lightning on 27th, very cold for the time of year. Prevailing
wind during month, N.W. Very slight earthquake on night of 16th, at 11.45 p.m.; aurora on 23rd to S. and on 26th.
Maximum temperature, 76° on 17th.

Nelson.--Strong N.E. wind on 5th, with heavy rain, and on 13th heavy S.E. gale, no rain; heavy squalls of rain on 15th and
16th from same quarter, -1.40 inch recorded on 16th; very wet from 18th to 20th from N.E., with strong wind on 20th;
stormy on 25th from N.E. Strong N.W. wind on 31st, with thunder and lightning. Prevailing wind from N.E.
Maximum temperature on 22nd, 77.0.

Christchurch. Dull, wet, and generally close weather, with light winds; frequent rain-very heavy on 5th and 6th-1.076
inch recorded on 6th; wind S.W.; also heavy rain on 15th from N.E. On 26th short gale from W. Prevailing wind
from S.W. Shock of earthquake about 8 a.m. on 28th. Maximum temperature for month, 82°4 on 22nd.

Bealey. Occasionally bright pleasant weather, but generally wet and dull. On 7th stormy from N.W., and on 20th and
26th gales from same quarter, with heavy rain; fogs occurred on 13th, 14th, 15th, and 31st. Prevailing wind from N.W.
Very sharp earthquake at 9.5 p.m. on 19th, lasting 5 seconds. Maximum rainfall on 21st, 2.510 inches, and maximum
temperature on 4th, 72.6.

Hokitika. Wet, dull, unpleasant weather generally during the month. On 8th strong E. wind, with heavy rain. Southerly
gale from 25th to 27th, with very heavy rain-3.40 inches of rain recorded on morning of 25th. Prevailing wind from
N.W. Maximum temperature on 16th, 73.7.

Dunedin. -- Heavy S.E. gale, no rain; heavy squalls of rain on 15th and
wet from 18th to 20th from N.E., with strong wind on 20th;
with thunder and lightning. Prevailing wind from N.E.
winds; frequent rain-very heavy on 5th and 6th-1.076
from N.E. On 26th short gale from W. Prevailing wind
um temperature for month, 82°4 on 22nd.
and dull. On 7th stormy from N.W., and on 20th and
on 13th, 14th, 15th, and 31st. Prevailing wind from N.W.
Maximum rainfall on 21st, 2.510 inches, and maximum
rain recorded on morning of 25th. Prevailing wind from