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THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

ABSTRACT of METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS, New Zealand, for the Month of MARCH, 1873.

• Altitude of Bealey, 2,104 feet; Queenstown, 1,070 feet. The stations marked thus * are furnished with Aneroid barometers only.

NOTES FOR MARCH, 1873.

Mongonui. Fine in early part, but showery and changeable during latter part of month; rainfall about the average,
maximum on 18th, 0.47 inch; winds generally moderate and prevailed from N.W. Maximum temperature in shade, 85°;
minimum, 54°.

Auckland.--Fine weather, though rather dull; small rainfall; maximum fall on 2nd, 0.68 inch; winds generally moderate,
and prevailed from ; strong on 26th from . Maximum temperature, 78°.7; minimum, 49°.4.

Taranaki.--Generally fine and dry; greatest rainfall on 2nd, 0.60 inch; prevailing easterly winds, and moderate, though
strong on 16th. Maximum temperature, 82°; minimum, 44°.

Napier. Weather changeable; small rainfall, but frequent light showers during nights; maximum fall, 0-65 on 2nd; wind
prevailed from N.E. and moderate; strong westerly winds on 5th and 6th, also on 16th. Maximum temperature, 77°; mini-
mum, 47°.

Wellington. Very fine bright weather during early part of month, moderate wind from N.W., very close and oppressive,
especially at nights; showery from 13th to 17th from S.E., and cool; fine up to 27th, though dull and heavy at times, wind
N.W.; showery and close for remainder of the month, and strong N.W. wind; inaximum rainfall on 14th, 0-500 inch; prevailing
wind, N.W. Vivid lightning on night of 30th, and rain.

Wanganui. Excessively dry weather up to 26th, when it came on rain and continued for remainder of month; winds
generally moderate, and prevailed from S.W. and N.W.; frequent calms, and sultry. Maximum rainfall on 29th, 045 for
previous 24 hours. Maximum temperature, 75°; minimum, 36°.

Nelson. Fine weather prevailed up to 25th, with moderate westerly winds; changed on that date to W., and brought
rain, which continued to end of month; maximum fall recorded on 24th, 1.48 inch; strong N.W. gale on 24th. Maximum
temperature, 82°; minimum, 40°.

Christchurch.Fine and pleasant generally, with occasional showers; maximum rainfall recorded on 14th, 0-83 inch; winds
light, and chiefly from N.E. and S.W.; strong N.E. winds on 1st and 10th, and on 16th stormy from S.W.; fog on 22nd.
Maximum temperature, 80°-3; minimum, 41°4.

Bealey. Tolerably fine; moderate rainfall, maximum on 13th, 0-86 inch; winds prevailed from N. W., and at times strong,
especially on 6th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 19th, and 20th; fog on 20th, 25th, and 26th. Maximum temperature, 81.6; minimum, 35.5.

Hokitika. Fine on the whole, though heavy showers of rain at times; maximum on 24th, 1.56 inch; on 23rd and 24th,
squalls of wind and rain from N.E., and hard squall from same quarter on 29th, with rain; fog on 1st and 3rd; wind prevailed
from N.E. Maximuni temperature, 71°; minimum, 41.4.

Dunedin. Dull showery weather prevailed, at times bright; light winds and variable; frequent calms; maximum rainfall
on 13th, 1 inch for 24 hours previous. Maximum temperature, 72°; minimum, 40°.

Queenstown. Generally fine, though rather changeable; occasionally cold days, with rain, but also splendid bright calm
weather experienced; maximum rain recorded on 13th, 083 inch; very moderate winds prevailed from N.W.; snow fell on 29th.
Maximum temperature, 82°.6.; minimum, 39°-7.

Southland. Dull showery weather, but no heavy falls of rain, maximum on 12th, 0.40 inch; winds moderate, and prevailed
from S.W.; thunder on 16th, 28th, and 29th; hail on 16th.

GENERAL REMARKS.

The weather throughout was, on the whole, fine, with small rainfall and moderate winds; no storms of importance occurred
at any of the stations; the average temperature for the month is higher in nearly every case. Earthquakes occurred at
Wanganui, on 13th, 4.30 p.m.; 16th, 10.30 p.m.; 23rd, 0.30 a.m. and at 11.30 p.m.; 31st, 4.30 a.m., all slight: at Wellington
on 17th, 12.5 a.m.; 18th, during night; and 22nd, 11.50 p.m.; all slight: at Greytown on 27th, at 5 p.m.: at Nelson on 24th,
at 11.18 p.m., slight: at Mana Island on 16th, at 11.55 p.m., smart shock. Auroras observed at Hokitika and Dunedin on 9th;
brilliant meteor at Wanganui on 24th.

JAMES HECTOR, Inspector.

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