THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
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ABSTRACT of METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS, New Zealand, for the Month of JANUARY, 1874.

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

NOTES FOR JANUARY, 1874.

Mongonui.—Exceedingly dry warm weather, only three days' rain, the maximum occurring on 10th, 38 inch; wind very
moderate, and prevailed from N.W. Maximum temperature in shade, 88°; minimum, 53°.

Auckland.—Hot and oppressive weather, with unusually small rainfall; the maximum fall recorded on 11th, 470; a smart
southerly breeze which registered 535 miles on 2nd; a fresh breeze from same quarter on 4th and 12th; prevailing winds
from N.E. and S.W. Maximum temperature, 82.7°; minimum, 54.1°.

Taranaki.—Unusually hot and dry weather; maximum rainfall recorded on 10th, 1.28 inch; wind prevailed from S.W. and
moderate; lightning and distant thunder on 30th. Maximum temperature, 80°; minimum, 44°.

Napier.—Very warm and dry; highest rainfall only 19 inch on 10th; winds changeable and light; pleasant weather.
Maximum temperature, 90°; minimum, 51°.

Wellington.—Generally fine bright weather; small rainfall, but pleasant showers at times; the maximum fall recorded on 15th,
only 240 inches; wind prevailed from N.W., and frequently strong, especially on 5th, 18th, and on 23rd, the last being a
gale at night, but only slight rain; 530 miles of wind recorded on morning of 24th; sudden change on night of 11th to
S.E., and squall of rain, thunder, and lightning; passed off soon. Maximum temperature, 77°; minimum, 47º in shade..

Wanganui.—Set in fine and continued so throughout, rain only falling on four days, and the maximum only 38 inch on 24th;
thunder on 11th; westerly winds prevailed, and moderate. Maximum temperature, 82°; minimum, 44°.

Nelson.—Very fine, bright, clear weather throughout, with light N. and N.W. winds generally; maximum rain on 24th, 15 in.;
thunder on 6th, 23rd, and 26th. Maximum temperature, 83°; minimum, 40°.

Cape Campbell.—Generally very fine and bright, with little rain, and fresh breezes constantly shifting between N.W. and S.E.;
stormy on 15th from W., and on 19th and 20th from N.W.; maximum rainfall recorded on 15th, 36 inch. Maximum
temperature, 80°; minimum, 49°.

Christchurch.—Very fine weather, very little rain, 37 inch being the maximum fall, on 12th; winds prevailed from N.E., and
unusually moderate; on the 11th strong from N.E. and S.W., with thunder and hail. Maximum temperature, 88.8°;
minimum, 41.5°. On the 11th a severe storm passed over the northern part of the Province, doing serious damage to
crops; not very severe in Christchurch.

Hokitika.—Fine for time of year, occasionally heavy showers of rain; the maximum fall on 27th, 2.27 inches; winds generally
moderate, and prevailed from N. and N.E.; stormy on 1st, 19th, and 24th, from S.W. Maximum temperature, 71.3°;
minimum, 44.9°.

Dunedin.—Generally very warm, frequent light showers mostly from S.W., from which quarter the wind prevailed; rainfall on
whole small; the maximum recorded on 15th, 466 inch. Maximum temperature, 84°; minimum, 40°.

Queenstown.—Pleasant weather, although showery during middle of month; light winds prevailed from N.W.; maximum rain
occurred on 24th, 1.67 inch; thunder on 5th; snow on 9th and 10th; hail on 10th. Maximum temperature, 81.2°;
minimum, 39.4°.

Southland.—Dull, unpleasant weather generally, and strong westerly winds; very stormy on 3rd, 15th, and 19th; heavy
rain on 9th, 14th, and 24th; the maximum fall on last date, 1.32 inch; thunder on 9th. Maximum temperature, 79°;
minimum, 32°.

GENERAL REMARKS.

Remarkably dry weather throughout, rainfall considerably below the average; usually high atmospheric pressure and
temperature; winds prevailed from W., and on the whole light; a severe storm, however, passed over the northern part of
Province of Canterbury on 11th, doing considerable damage; it was not severely felt at Christchurch. Earthquakes occurred on
21st at Tauranga, four shocks between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., rather strong; and on 23rd two shocks at 5 p.m.; also four smart
shocks on 24th, between 6 and 8 a.m.; at Napier on 29th, 9.15 p.m., smart. Brilliant meteor observed on 13th in North;
aurora in South, on 18th..

JAMES HECTOR, Inspector.