THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 769

ABSTRACT of METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS, New Zealand, for the Month of JULY, 1876.

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

NOTES FOR JULY, 1876.

Mongonui. Unsettled weather, a good deal of rain; fine occasionally during the month; maximum rainfall recorded on 24th,
1.70 in.; prevailing westerly winds; N.E. gale on 1st, also on 11th and 12th; thunder on 31st. Maximum temperature in
shade, 65°; minimum, 40°.

Auckland. Wet weather, the greatest fall recorded on 1st, 1.740 in.; wind chiefly S.W. and S., frequently strong; a gale on
24th from N.; distant thunder on 31st; fog on 20th and 22nd. Maximum temperature in shade, 63°; minimum, 37.8°.

Taranaki. Tolerably fine for time of year; rather unsettled after 19th; prevailing S.E. winds, strong on 14th and 15th, also
strong on 20th from N.W. Maximum temperature in shade, 63°; minimum, 32°.

Napier. Showery and unpleasant; in the early part a few fine days, with clear frosty nights; maximum rain recorded on 25th,
1.66 in.; prevailing southerly winds, and often strong; a gale from S.W. on night of 15th, with rain, and on 25th from
N.E., with rain. Maximum temperature in shade, 64°; minimum, 34°.

Wellington. Unpleasant wet S.E. weather to 3rd, 2'65 in. rain recorded on 1st for previous 24 hours, and 1.900 in. on 2nd;
stormy on 4th from S.E.; fine and bright from 5th to 12th; in night of 12th barometer fell, wind changed from N.W. to
S.E., and on 13th dull cold weather, wind increasing to gale at night, with rain; cold showery S.E. weather to 16th; from
17th to 21st, showery, though mild; 1-23 in. rain recorded on 20th, barometer 29.583, wind changed during night of 21st
to S.E.; fine on 22nd and 23rd, but cold; blew fresh from E. for a short time on 23rd; strong wind on nights of 24th and
25th, with rain still from S.E.; dull damp cold S.E. day on 26th; N.E. weather for remainder of month, and fine except
on last two days, when it was wet and unpleasant; on the whole, showery and cold during the month; sharp frosts in early
part. Maximum temperature in shade, 58°; minimum, 34°.

Wanganui.-Showery beginning and end of month, fair during middle part, greatest rain recorded on 1st, 80 in.; prevailing
westerly winds and at times strong. Maximum temperature in shade, 67°; minimum, 28°.

Nelson. Very fine throughout, with prevailing easterly weather; a heavy S.E. gale on 23rd, 24th, and 25th, without rain;
also on 30th, from same quarter; very mild for time of year. Maximum temperature in shade, 61°; minimum, 31°.

Cape Campbell. Strong southerly winds prevailed, and dull wet weather during greater part of month; fine, clear, and frosty
from 4th to 12th; fog on 31st. Maximum temperature in shade, 65.5°; minimum, 39°.

Christchurch. Cold wintry weather with prevailing S.W. winds, though light, except on 4th, when it was strong; some fine
weather in middle of month; small rain for time of year, the maximum fall recorded on 31st, 50 in.; hail fell on 3rd.
Maximum temperature in shade, 59°; minimum, 23.3°.

Bealey. Very fine cold, bright, clear, and calm weather generally, no gales or high winds; very moderate rainfall, the maximum
recorded on 19th, 610 in.; winds variable; snow fell on seven days; fog on eight days. Maximum temperature in
shade, 47.6°; minimum, 16°.

Hokitika. Very fine for time of year; little rain, maximum recorded on 21st, 30 in.; twenty-seven days of E. wind, and
moderate. Maximum temperature in shade, 57.6°; minimum, 29.7°.

Dunedin. Changeable throughout, except from 9th to 12th, when hard frosts occurred; prevailing S.W. wind, and moderate;
small rainfall, maximum recorded on 14th, 35 in. Maximum temperature in shade, 53°; minimum, 30°.

Queenstown.-Weather remarkable for a continuance of hard frosts and heavy falls of snow; towards end of month light thaw
set in, bringing milder weather; very slight rain, the maximum 26 in. on 22nd; prevailing W. winds, and light; six fogs.
Maximum temperature in shade, 55.7°; minimum, 22.9°.

Southland. Severe frosts during most part of month; prevailing E. and N.E. winds, and light; maximum rain recorded on 21st,
43 in.; hail on 3rd, 4th, and 22nd.

GENERAL REMARKS.

Generally fine weather for the time of year. At some of the northern stations rain in excess, but otherwise below the
average. Some severe frosts experienced in the South, and frequent snow. No gales of any note occurred. Earthquakes are
reported by Observers at Napier, Taranaki, Wanganui, Wellington, Cape Campbell, Christchurch, and Hokitika on 19th, about
4.15 a.m., generally smart, and in some cases preceded by noise. At Napier, on 20th, there was also a slight shock. By
telegram, reports were received from the following stations of the shock felt on 19th, at 4.15 a.m.:-Tarawera (also on 20th),
Wairoa, Napier, Waipawa, Patea, Porangahau, Wanganui, Foxton, Greytown, Upper Hutt, Havelock, Blenheim, Inspich, and
Lyttelton; considerable damage done at some places.

J. HECTOR, Inspector.