THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

337

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

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

NOTES FOR OCTOBER, 1876.

Mongonui.—Fine weather, with prevailing N.E. winds, frequently strong; small rainfall, the maximum recorded on 19th,
59 in.; thunder on 20th. Maximum temperature in shade, 75°; minimum, 42°.

Auckland.—Generally fine, with prevailing N.E. wind; small rainfall, the maximum registered on 21st, 910 in.; strong S.W.
wind on 3rd; fog on 6th. Maximum temperature in shade, 70.2°; minimum, 39.7°.

Taranaki.—Very dry, but fine weather; winds prevailed from N.E., and moderate; maximum rain recorded on 19th, 87 in.
Maximum temperature in shade, 73°; minimum, 38°.

Napier.—Pleasant throughout, with occasional showers at night; greatest rain recorded on 21st, 71 in.; moderate wind pre-
vailing from N.E. Maximum temperature in shade, 80°; minimum, 41°.

Wellington.—This has been the finest October experienced during the last twelve years. A few showers of rain fell during the
middle of the month; the maximum recorded on the 14th, 900 in., the total fall being very small. Winds prevailed from
N.W. and S.E., and very moderate; on the 19th it was rather strong from the former quarter. Towards the latter part the
heat was rather oppressive at times, the temperature being very high for this period. This month's mean temperature is the
highest that has occurred for the same month for twelve years back, the nearest to it being 55.7 in October, 1866. The
rainfall is also the smallest on record for October. Maximum temperature in shade, 74°; minimum, 38°.

Wanganui.—Very slight rain during the month, the maximum recorded on 20th, 43 in.; light winds prevailing from Westward,
often calm; fog on 4th. Maximum temperature in shade, 80°; minimum, 32°.

Nelson.—Remarkably fine throughout the month; greatest rain registered on 24th, 1.10 in.; winds variable; strong N.W. wind
on 19th, with rain, and on 21st strong S.E. wind and rain. Maximum temperature in shade, 73°; minimum, 40°.

Cape Campbell.—Fine and dry, and moderate breezes, chiefly from S.E. and N.W., at times strong; heavy dews during nights;
fog on four days; maximum rain recorded on 14th, 28 in. Maximum temperature in shade, 75°; minimum, 46°.

Christchurch.—Pleasant weather throughout; very little rain, the maximum being 26 in. on 14th; prevailing winds from S.W.,
E., and N.E., and generally moderate. Maximum temperature in shade, 77°; minimum, 32°.

Bealey.—Unusually fine weather; very little rain, the maximum recorded on 24th, 1.22 in.; prevailing winds N. and S.E., and
at times strong; fog on 8th. Maximum temperature in shade, 72°; minimum, 30.4°.

Hokitika.—Small rainfall for this locality, chiefly occurring during latter part of month, the maximum fall recorded on 24th,
1.48 in.; prevailing N.E. winds, and generally moderate; thunder on 31st; fog on 7th. Maximum temperature in shade,
66.1°; minimum, 37.4°.

Dunedin.—Extremely fine and dry; maximum fall of rain only 25 in. recorded on 13th; prevailing N.E. winds and light;
frequent calms; fog on 8th.—Maximum temperature in shade, 73°; minimum, 37°.

Queenstown.—Remarkably fine dry weather, with light winds from westward; maximum rain recorded on 14th, 15 in.; fog on
1st and 13th. Maximum temperature in shade, 74.1°; minimum, 37°.

Southland.—Very fine warm month, with light winds prevailing from the Westward; maximum rain recorded on 13th, 34 in.;
thunder on 28th. Maximum temperature in shade, 74°; minimum, 29°.

GENERAL REMARKS.

The weather throughout during this month extremely fine and pleasant for the time of year, approaching more to spring,
the temperature at all the stations being higher than the average for the same period, at many places reaching over 4° higher.
The winds were moderate, and chiefly from N.E. In some localities the want of rain was much felt. High barometer reading
prevailed. Earthquake at Queenstown on 24th, at 2.3 a.m., N.W. to S.E.

J. HECTOR, Inspector.

Printed under authority of the New Zealand Government, by GEORGE DIDSBURY, Government Printer, Wellington.