302 THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

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

• Altitude, 2,104 feet.
  † Altitude, 1,070 feet.
  ‡ Mean for 24 days only.

NOTES FOR MARCH, 1872.

Mongonui.—Pleasant weather, although rainfall in excess of average; easterly winds prevailed during nearly whole of month,
but moderate, except on 9th, when it blew hard, with thunder and heavy rain; on 19th also strong E. wind, no rain ;
on 2nd and 12th, 81·0. Maximum temperature on 2nd and 12th, 81·0.

Auckland.—Easterly weather prevailed; from 1st to 6th fine and hot; stiff southerly breeze on 1st and 2nd; light showers on
6th and 7th; stiff breeze from N.E. on 9th, with heavy rain, amounting to 2·100 inches during the night; light showers on
13th, 14th, and 16th; wind prevailed from N.E., but generally moderate. Maximum temperature on 7th and 27th, 80·0.

Taranaki.—Very fine throughout, with slight rainfall, the maximum recorded on 10th, 0·64 inches; strong E. winds on 13th,
14th, and 15th; wind prevailed from N.E., but generally moderate. Maximum temperature on 7th and 27th, 80·0.

Napier.—Fine generally, with occasional showers; S.W. gale on 2nd and 3rd, without rain, otherwise winds moderate, and
prevailed from N.E. and S.W.; very slight rainfall, maximum recorded on 13th, 0·56 inches. Maximum temperature on 12th, 80·0.

Wanganui.—Mild genial weather, with heavy dews at night; severe S.W. gale on 1st and 2nd, without rain, lasting 48 hours;
dull and cold on the 2nd from S.E., with showers; very fine and pleasant up to the 9th; on the 10th and 11th
light showers on 31st; greatest fall recorded on 13th, 0·50. Maximum temperature on 10th, 81·0.

Wellington.—Strong S.W. wind on 1st, cold and squally on 2nd, with hail from same quarter; winds otherwise moderate, and
on 13th, with light N.W. wind; on the 12th cold S.E. wind with rain, but cleared off on the 13th, and continued
with wind chiefly from N.W., from which quarter it prevailed throughout the remainder of the month, with wind chiefly from N.W., from
which quarter it blew rather strongly; very slight rainfall, the maximum occurred
on the 13th, 0·550 inches. Maximum temperature recorded on the 1st, 73·0.

Nelson.—An exceedingly fine month, with the exception of a strong S.W. wind on 1st and 2nd without rain, and on the 13th
and 14th a stiff south-easter; maximum rainfall recorded on 11th, 1·45 inches; wind changeable. Maximum temperature
on 31st, 79·0.

Christchurch.—Strong S.W. wind on 1st, cold and squally on 2nd, with hail from same quarter; winds otherwise moderate, and
prevailed from E. and S.W.; very slight rainfall, maximum recorded on 11th only 0·150 inch; on whole, weather fine and
seasonable. Maximum temperature on 29th, 81·8.

Bealey.—Exceedingly fine and pleasant weather; sharp frost on mornings of 14th and 15th; fog on 22nd; gale on 1st N.W.,
and on 19th from same quarter; heavy rainfall recorded on 11th, 2 inches; wind prevailed from N.W. Maximum tempera-
ture on 23rd, 74·2.

Hokitika.—S.W. gale on 1st of short duration; heavy rain commenced on 10th, and measured 2·58 inches on morning of 11th,
wind S.W. and hard squalls, otherwise weather remarkably fine and pleasant for time of year; rainfall considerably below
average; wind changeable, and on the whole moderate. Maximum temperature on 21st, 70·9.

Dunedin.—During early part of month changeable, but after 13th very fine, with slight rainfall throughout; greatest fall registered
on 2nd, 0·534 inch; winds moderate and changeable; fog on 23rd. Maximum temperature on 30th, 82·0.

Queenstown.—Remarkably fine pleasant weather during the month; very little wind and rain. Maximum temperature
on 8th, 79·1.

Southland.—Very fine dry month; frequent night mists; prevailing wind from N.E.; greatest rainfall recorded on 12th, 0·27.
Maximum temperature on 19th, 81·0.

GENERAL REMARKS.

Weather on the whole remarkably fine throughout the Colony. Rainfall considerably below the average, and no storms of
any note. Very high barometer readings were recorded at nearly all the stations on 21st and 22nd. Earthquakes occurred at
Napier on 14th, slight; Wellington on 3rd, slight; Queenstown on 6th, slight. Auroras in extreme South on 2nd.

JAMES HECTOR, Inspector.

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