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THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

ABSTRACT of METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS, New Zealand, for the Month of FEBRUARY, 1872.

• Estimated only.

NOTES FOR FEBRUARY, 1872.

Mongonui. Very unsettled weather, and frequently stormy; stormy on 4th, 5th, 8th, and 9th, and wet from N.E.; stormy
from 18th to 21st, from S.E. and N.W., and showery; on 19th and 20th very severe S.E. gale, changing to N.E., with
heavy rain recorded on 20th, considerable damage done, barometer fell from 29.90 to 29.38; thunder on 18th and 25th;
fog on 9th; maximum rainfall recorded on 25th, 1.65 inch; altogether disagreeable weather throughout; prevailing winds
N.E. and S.E. Maximum temperature on 3rd, 90.0.

Auckland. Weather excessively hot up to 19th, with many cloudy days and heavy showers. A severe gale from N.E. on 5th,
but slight rain; a violent N.E. gale on 19th and 20th, causing damage, with rain; and another from same quarter on 25th,
when 3.03 inches of rain fell-no fall in barometer to speak of; thunder on 10th; prevailing wind from N.E. Maximum
temperature on 3rd, 90.4.

Taranaki. Showery, but at times fine and pleasant; from 19th to 22nd very stormy, with rain from S.E., shifting to N.E.;
greatest rainfall recorded on 5th, 1.90 inch; prevailing wind from S.W. and N.E. Maximum temperature on 3rd, 82.0.

Napier. Generally fine and warm with pleasant showers, and wind moderate, except on 20th and 21st, when there was a gale
commencing from S.E. and changing to N.E., with 1.58 inch rain recorded on 21st; prevailing wind from N.E. Maximum
temperature on 6th, 94.0.

Wellington. Fine and pleasant weather generally, with showers at intervals, during the month; rainfall much below average;
maximum fall recorded on 8th, 0.670 inch; strong winds occurred on 5th, N.W.,-19th, 20th, and 22nd, S.E.; but on
the whole, wind moderate, prevailing from N.W.; fog on the 8th. Maximum temperature on 23rd, 81.3 for the previous
twenty-four hours.

Wanganui. Extremely close, hot, and sultry weather, varied by strong S.E. winds; on 20th, 21st, and 23rd very stormy from
that quarter, but slight rain only; heavy rain on 8th and 9th; maximum recorded on 8th, 1.35 inch; prevailing wind
from S.E. Maximum temperature on 21st, 88.0.

Nelson. Sudden shift from N.E. to S.W., with strong squalls on 1st; on 2nd, dull heavy weather; on 4th, distant thunder,
no lightning; from 19th to 21st, stormy from S.E. with rain; very heavy rain on 8th and 9th, 2.96 inches registered on
latter date; thunder on 16th; otherwise weather tolerably fine; prevailing wind from N.E. and S.E. Maximum
temperature on 2nd, 90.0.

Christchurch. Fine generally, at times very hot; slight rain, greatest fall on 8th, 0.562 inch; winds generally moderate, and
prevailed from N.E. and E.; strong gale from N.W. on 5th; strong hot N.W. wind; stiff S.W. breeze on 26th. Maximum
temperature on 2nd, 94.1.

Bealey. Rain excessive, especially during beginning and latter part of month; some very heavy falls, the maximum recorded on
8th, 3.950 inches; winds generally light, and prevailed from N.W.; 3rd and 5th, stormy from N.W.; also on 15th and 26th
stormy from same quarter; thunder on 13th; occasionally fine bright days. Maximum temperature on 3rd, 74.5.

Hokitika. Showery generally, although some pleasant weather occurred; heavy fall of rain on 8th, 3.60 inches; winds moderate,
prevailed from S.W.; strong S.W. breeze on 9th, with rain; on 25th, strong squalls of wind and rain from N.; seven days
of fog. Maximum temperature on 21st, 82.4:

Dunedin. Showery, with intervals of pleasant weather; greatest rainfall recorded on 23rd, 1.220 inch; heavy fall at noon on
13th; wind changeable and generally light, except on 6th, when it blew hard from S.W., with rain. Maximum
temperature on 1st, 77.0.

GENERAL REMARKS.

Rainfall and temperature in excess; winds generally moderate, but a strong S.E. to N.E. gale was felt at all stations,
from Nelson northward. Destructive floods at Greymouth on 8th. Earthquakes reported at Wanganui on 14th, at 12:30 p.m.,
slight; at Queenstown on 9th, at 1.37 a.m., rather severe; and at Cheviot on 15th, at 3.31 p.m., slight.

JAMES HECTOR, Inspector.

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