THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 71

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

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

NOTES FOR OCTOBER, 1875.

Mongonui.—Heavy rainfall during the month, with intervals of fine weather, the maximum fall recorded on 9th, 2·32 inches; strong winds on 3rd and 5th from S.W., and 8th and 9th S.E.; otherwise moderate, and prevailing from N.W. and S.W. Maximum temperature in shade, 73°; minimum, 41°.

Auckland.—Very showery but mild weather; prevailing westerly winds, and generally moderate; stormy on 10th from S.W.; total rain in excess, the maximum fall registered on 9th, 2·270 inches; the barometer on 9th, 28·988, having fallen 1·210 in 48 hours; 2·20 inches rain also recorded on 31st; thunder on 3rd; hail on 7th. Maximum temperature in shade, 70·0°; minimum, 43°.

Taranaki.—Very unsettled, squally, wet weather; prevailing westerly winds; strong on 2nd, N.W., and on 9th from S.E.; maximum rain recorded on 31st, 1·26 inch; fog on 15th and 16th. Maximum temperature in shade, 70·0°; minimum, 35°.

Napier.—Showery weather; rainfall above the average; the maximum recorded on 9th, 1·38 inch. Prevailing winds northerly, and generally moderate; on 10th, there was a gale from S.W., with rain, and on night of 29th gale from N.W., lasting only a few hours. Maximum temperature in shade, 79°; minimum, 36°.

Wellington.—First part of month wet and stormy weather prevailed from N.W., changing at times to S.E.; very strong wind on 2nd from N.W., and 9th from S.E. with rain. Some very fine bright pleasant days during middle of month, though at times showery; strong N.W. wind on 8th; from 24th to end generally wet and stormy from N.W.; bright and pleasant, however, on 26th and 27th; sheet lightning on night of 26th. Twenty-five days of N.W. wind. On the whole, a wet month for time of year; the maximum rain recorded on 29th, 2·050 inches. Maximum temperature in shade, 71·5°; minimum, 36·5°.

Wanganui.—A showery, squally month; prevailing N.W. winds, and frequently strong; maximum rain recorded on 10th, ·850 inch; thunder on 17th and 31st. Maximum temperature in shade, 73°; minimum, 35°.

Nelson.—Changeable weather, with occasional strong winds, chiefly from N.W.; maximum rain registered on 24th, 1·57 inch. Maximum temperature in shade, 70°; minimum, 35°.

Cape Campbell.—Very dry, but dull weather, with strong gales and breezes from N.W. and W.; on the 6th, with a W. gale, the wind-gauge recorded 80 miles per hour for three consecutive hours; maximum recorded on 31st, ·39 inch. Sudden changes of temperature in the early part of month. Maximum temperature in shade, 73·4°; minimum, 42°.

Christchurch.—Very small total rainfall, though often showery, maximum recorded on 29th, ·33 inch; prevailing wind from S.W. and N.W., and moderate, except on nights of 8th and 21st, when it blew strong from N.W.; hail on 3rd. Maximum temperature in shade, 72°; minimum, 31·8°.

Bealey.—Showery, unpleasant weather, with an occasional bright day; maximum rainfall recorded on 2nd, 1·44 inch; prevailing N.W. wind, and generally strong; snow on six days; heavy fall on 28th, 6 inches on ground on morning of 29th; heavy thunderstorm on 17th; gales on seven days. Maximum temperature in shade, 69°; minimum, 26·4°.

Hokitika.—Wet weather generally, with prevailing N.E. winds; frequently squally; five days of thunder; maximum rainfall recorded on 24th, 1·55 inch. Maximum temperature in shade, 63·5°; minimum, 34·8°.

Dunedin.—Changeable; high winds occurred from 9th to 12th, from S.W.; cold, wintry weather, 3rd, 4th, and 11th, S.W.; heavy rain from 25th to end of month; wind variable; thunder on 24th; snow, 3rd and 11th; hail, 2nd, 11th, and 27th, and fog on 24th and 25th; maximum rain recorded on 26th, ·800 inch. Maximum temperature in shade, 66°; minimum, 32°.

Queenstown.—Very changeable; no severe weather after the first two or three days, when snow fell; maximum rain recorded on 6th, ·78 inch; prevailing N.W. winds and light, frequent calms; on the whole, a dull, gloomy month. Maximum temperature in shade, 65·2°; minimum, 31·3°.

Southland.—A wet, stormy month; prevailing westerly winds; maximum rain recorded on 7th, ·39 inch; a gale on 8th from N.W.; very warm from 15th to 19th; five days of hail; thunder on 3rd. Maximum temperature in shade, 72°; minimum, 31°.

GENERAL REMARKS.

Very wet unpleasant weather experienced throughout during this period, the rainfall at most places being excessive; strong westerly winds prevailed, and frequent gales at times; very severe for time of year.

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