THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

721

ABSTRACT of METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS, New Zealand, for the Month of AUGUST, 1875.

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

NOTES FOR AUGUST 1875.

Mongonui.—Fine during first week, afterwards unsettled to end of month, and frequent rain; strong winds from N.W. and
S.W.; seven days of thunder; maximum rain recorded on 9th, 1.12 inch; very strong N.E. gales, on 7th and 8th
N.E., and on 24th from S.W., with thunder; on 25th barometer fell from 29-676 to 29-336; prevailing westerly winds.
Maximum temperature in shade, 70°; minimum, 36°.

Auckland.—Clear and pleasant in early part; rain from 9th to 13th and from 17th to 30th, chiefly falling during nights after
fine pleasant days; maximum rainfall on 10th, 1.250 inch; prevailing westerly winds, and often strong. Maximum
temperature in shade, 64.3°; minimum, 35°.

Taranaki.—Very wet weather generally; occasionally fine and bright; prevailing westerly winds, very strong on 24th from S.W.,
with rain; maximum rain recorded on 25th, 1.03 inch; thunder on 18th and 26th; hail on 22nd. Maximum temperature
in shade, 63°; minimum, 34°.

Napier.—Showery, cold, and unpleasant; occasional fine days and bright frosty nights; prevailing S. and S.W. winds and moderate;
maximum rainfall, 82 inch registered on 13th. Maximum temperature in shade, 66°; minimum, 35°.

Wellington.—The first five days wet unpleasant weather, cold and severe, with wind from S.E. and S.W.; hail on 2nd and 3rd;
fine and bright from 6th to 11th, N.W. and S.E. winds, few showers, and cold at times; from 12th to 15th, cold, wet, unplea-
sant S.E. weather, with hail on 12th, 13th, and 14th, and strong breezes; fine on 16th and 17th; 18th to 21st, wet from N.W.;
fine on 22nd and 23rd; 24th to 26th, wet and cold, hailstorm on morning of 26th from S.E.; tolerably fine for remainder
of month, wind N.W. and strong; wind prevailed during the month from N.W. to S.E.; snow observed on hills on 3rd
and 12th; maximum rainfall recorded on 1st, 1.5 inch, and 0.85 registered on 3rd. Maximum temperature in shade, 62.3°;
minimum, 33.5°.

Wanganui.—Heavy rain during the month; short intervals of fine weather; maximum rain recorded on 25th, 1.06 inch; pre-
vailing N.W. and S.E. winds, very strong from 21st to 26th N.W. and S.W., with rain; thunder on 12th and 13th.
Maximum temperature in shade, 64°; minimum, 30°.

Nelson.—More easterly weather than usual; low barometer from 21st to 26th; strong wind on 10th from N., and 29th from
S.W., otherwise moderate; thunder on 7th, 16th, and 26th; maximum rain registered on 19th, 1.34 inch. Maximum
temperature in shade, 64°; minimum, 32°.

Cape Campbell.--Stormy weather, generally N.W., and cloudy, with frequent showers; very low barometer from 20th to 25th,
with wind constantly shifting between S.E. and W.; maximum rain recorded on 1st, 56 inch; hail on 13th. Maximum
temperature in shade, 66.7°; minimum, 41.2°.

Christchurch.—Rain first three days from S.W., then fine to 11th, wind N.E., very strong on 9th and 10th; remainder of month
showery, wind chiefly S.W., but moderate; hail on 27th; maximum rain recorded on 2nd, 0.65 inch. Maximum tempera-
ture in shade, 58.3°; minimum, 29.8°.

Bealey.—Fine frosty weather, with occasional rain; prevailing N.W. winds, and strong on 30th; snow fell on six days, fog three
days. Maximum temperature in shade, 50.6°; minimum, 20°.

Hokitika.—Generally showery and cold weather; prevailing easterly winds; maximum rain recorded on 10th, 1.52 inches; a
few bright, clear, cold days in beginning and middle of month; sharp frosts; strong wind N.E. on 10th; sleet on 26th;
fog on 1st. Maximum temperature in shade, 56.6°; minimum, 29.9°.

Dunedin.—Showery weather prevailed, very heavy rain recorded on 23rd, 2.51 inches, and 24th, 2.10 inches; very strong wind
from S.W. on 29th, wind chiefly from N.E. to S.W.; fog on 25th. Maximum temperature in shade, 56°; minimum, 31°.

Queenstown.—On the whole fine weather; some hard frosts, succeeded by beautiful days; small rainfall, the maximum registered
on 10th, 25 inch; prevailing N.W. winds, and moderate; snow fell on 1st, 2nd, and 19th; fog on 20th. Maximum
temperature in shade, 59.3°; minimum, 26.5°.

Southland.—Fine in early part, with severe frosts at night; during latter part of month showery; maximum rainfall recorded on
24th, 59 inch; wind prevailed from N.E., generally moderate; hail fell on 12th and 27th.

GENERAL REMARKS.

Westerly winds prevailed during this period, but no storms of any note are recorded. The rainfall throughout is about the
average. The temperature is rather lower than usual for time of year. On the whole the weather may be considered as season-
able. Earthquakes reported by telegram at Foxton on 20th, at 6.15 a.m., lasting about 15 seconds; at Wellington by Observer
on 25th, slight, at 7.30 p.m.

W. B. D. MANTELL (for Inspector).