THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 225

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

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

NOTES FOR DECEMBER, 1875.

Mongonui. Unsettled, showery weather, with prevailing N.W. winds, and strong on 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th; maximum rain
on 10th, 1.15 in.; thunder on 20th; fog on 8th, 15th, 16th, and 26th, an unusual occurrence at this station. Maximum
temperature in shade, 86°; minimum, 48°.

Auckland. Heavy rainfall at this station, the maximum recorded on the 10th, 2.93 in.; wind moderate and changeable; fog
occurred on 15th and 16th. Maximum temperature in shade, 80.7°; minimum, 48.6°.

Taranaki. Showery and unsettled weather for time of year; very foggy during early part; maximum rain recorded on 9th,
1.31 in.; prevailing westerly winds, and generally light; thunder on 6th; some very warm days. Maximum temperature
in shade, 84°; minimum, 42°.

Napier. Fine pleasant weather, with occasional showers, generally at night; prevailing wind from N. and N.E.; strong wind
from N.E. on 15th, otherwise moderate; maximum rain recorded on 10th, 0.64 in. Maximum temperature in shade, 84°;
minimum, 50°.

Wellington. Fine bright weather up to 6th, with N.W. wind; wet and stormy on 7th and 8th, N.W.; 1.5 in. rain recorded on 9th,
and 750 miles of wind for previous 24 hours; changed to S.E., and still wet, though lighter wind on 9th and 10th; fine
up to night of 15th, when it rained heavily, wind N.W. and oppressive; bright and pleasant weather to 26th, wind change-
able; very close, dense dry fog on night of 23rd; on night of 25th came on to rain from N.W., and continued wet and
dull to end of month, oppressive at times; weather very wet for the time of year. Prevailing N.W. wind. Maximum
temperature in shade, 75.5°; minimum, 43.5°.

Wanganui. From 5th to 10th, heavy rain; wind N.W., very strong on 4th, 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th; also rain on 26th and
27th, otherwise fine weather, at times very sultry, frequent calms; maximum rain recorded on 10th, 1.25 in., and on 11th,
1.10 in.; thunder on 6th. Maximum temperature in shade, 84°; minimum, 45°.

Nelson. Showery from 6th to 11th and from 25th to 30th, remainder of weather fine and pleasant; prevailing westerly winds
and moderate; strong on 3rd from S.W.; maximum rain recorded on 8th, 2.12 in. Maximum temperature in shade, 80°;
minimum, 43°.

Cape Campbell. Very dry weather, with fresh breezes chiefly from N.W.; strong on 3rd, 6th, 8th, and 31st; fog on 29th;
maximum rain recorded on 10th, 50 in. Maximum temperature in shade, 78.9°; minimum, 52.1°.

Christchurch. Fine bright weather generally, very warm at times; slight showers in middle and towards end of month;
the maximum fall recorded on 10th, 36 in.; prevailing N.E. wind; no strong winds occurred; thunder on 30th. Maximum
temperature in shade, 84.8°; minimum, 43.7°.

Bealey. Very wet during first part and end of month; maximum fall registered on 8th, 2.39 in.; fine pleasant weather from
12th to 25th; prevailing westerly winds and frequently strong; thunder on 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 30th; fog on 25th.
Maximum temperature in shade, 84.2°; minimum, 39°.

Hokitika. Also wet at this station in early and latter part of month, the greatest fall recorded on 30th, 2.25 in.; fine bright
weather during middle of month; prevailing westerly winds and moderate, but strong from N.E. on 6th, 7th, 11th, 29th,
and 30th; thunder on 7th, 29th, and 30th; hail on 7th and 30th; fog on 23rd, 26th, and 27th. Maximum temperature in
shade, 72.1°; minimum, 46°.

Dunedin. Very wet, except from 19th to 25th; prevailing easterly winds, and generally light; maximum rain recorded on 31st,
1.858 in.; thunder occurred on 4th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 30th; fog on 28th. Maximum temperature in shade, 81°; mini-
mum, 43°.

Queenstown. Beginning of month wet and squally, wind westerly, after which extremely warm, occasionally oppressive;
showers at end of month; the maximum rainfall was recorded on 6th, 1.26 in.; prevailing N.W. winds; frequent calms;
thunder on 7th, 8th, and 29th. Maximum temperature in shade, 84.1°; minimum, 41.9°.

Southland. Very wet weather first and latter part of month, otherwise fine and bright; maximum rain registered on 8th,
1.64 in.; westerly winds prevailed, but moderate; thunder on 8th and 31st. Maximum temperature in shade, 83°;
minimum, 35°.

GENERAL REMARKS.

Excessive rain almost throughout, with prevailing westerly winds. Early and latter part of month generally stormy;
frequent thunderstorms occurred; temperature higher than usual for time of year, sultry and oppressive weather prevailing
during middle period; the low barometer reading recorded on the 8th, 29.20°, was followed by a strong westerly wind, with rain.
Earthquakes were reported by Queenstown observer as occurring at that place on 13th, at 6 a.m., and 15th, at 11 a.m., both slight.

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