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THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

ABSTRACT of METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS, New Zealand, for the Month of MAY, 1877.

NOTE.—Altitude of Bealey, 2,104 feet; Queenstown, 1,070 feet.

• The stations marked thus * are furnished with aneroid barometers only. † 10 years. ‡ 8 years. || 4 years. § 9 years.

NOTES FOR MAY, 1877.

Mongonui.—Very wet and stormy month; rain greatly in excess of average, 3·93 in. recorded on the 5th, and 4·33 in. on the 6th, the maximum for the month; gales or strong winds on every day but nine, chiefly from W. and N.E.; 475 miles of wind registered on 4th, from E.; thunder on 5th, 14th, and 25th; hail on 5th.

Auckland.—Wet and squally, with generally low barometer; rain greatly in excess, the maximum fall recorded on 13th, 1·22 in., and on 22nd, 1·365 in.; very strong winds and variable; frequent morning fogs; thunder on 9th and 25th, but not severe.

Taranaki.—A very stormy, wet month; maximum rainfall recorded on 24th, 1·31 in.; strong N.W. and S.W. winds from 8th to 11th with rain, thunder on 8th and 9th, and on 24th and 25th stormy from N.W., also with rain; thunder on 23rd and 24th.

Napier.—Changeable weather; frequent rain, but moderate, the maximum fall recorded on 6th and 28th, ·31 in.; S.E. gale on 1st, and on 10th strong S.W. gale; winds strong, and prevailed from S. and S.W.

Wellington.—Very wet, unpleasant weather experienced almost throughout the month, although there were a few fine bright days; rainfall greatly in excess of average, the maximum recorded on 30th, 2·50 inches; prevailing N.W. wind and storm generally, especially on 8th, 9th, 13th, 14th, and 25th. On 29th rain commenced in morning from N.W., changed to S.E., but light, barometer rising slightly; showery during day, barometer falling again, very threatening, and at 3.30 p.m. heavy rain commenced, and continued until 5 p.m., 2 in. falling during the hour and a half; showery at night, but cleared off.

Wanganui.—Fine up to 7th, then rain to 15th from N.W., followed by a few fine days; on 22nd, 1·60 in. rain recorded, and continued wet to end of month; wind westerly, from which quarter it prevailed, and frequently strong; thunder on 10th.

Nelson.—Very wet weather, far in excess of average; the maximum rainfall on 20th, 4·16 in.; prevailing S.E. wind, and generally strong.

Cape Campbell.—Dull weather, frequent rain, but no heavy falls, the maximum recorded on 8th, ·61 in.; strong winds from S.E. and N.W.

Christchurch.—Cold wet weather generally, an occasional fine day; maximum rainfall recorded on 13th, 1·60 in.; prevailing S.W. wind, and moderate; barometer fell from 29·456 on 7th to 28·814 on 8th, threatening to S.W., but storm only felt slightly.

Bealey.—Fine up to 7th, remainder of month showery; maximum rainfall recorded on 14th, 1·360 in.; prevailing N.W. wind, and light; snow on 9th, and heavy fall on 13th; cold throughout; fog on 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.

Hokitika.—Fine to 7th, and then, with exception of a few fine days in middle of month, very wet and unpleasant weather; frequently heavy falls of rain, the maximum recorded on 8th, 2·88 in.; strong S.W. wind on 8th and 9th, with rain, hail, and thunder; thunder and hail also on 7th; prevailing easterly winds, and moderate.

Dunedin.—Cold and wet generally, with prevailing westerly winds, but not strong, except on 9th and 10th, from S.W.; maximum rainfall recorded on 14th, 1·860 in.

Queenstown.—Fine for time of year; maximum rainfall recorded on 14th, ·34 in.; prevailing N.W. winds, and light; snow fell on five days; fog on 4th.

Southland.—Fine weather generally; greatest rain recorded on 9th, ·65 in.; stormy from 8th to 12th, from W., with rain; otherwise, wind moderate and changeable; hail on 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th; some severe frosts during nights.

GENERAL REMARKS.

With few exceptions the weather has been very wet and boisterous throughout the month, accompanied by thunder and hail storms, and excessive falls of rain; the wind was principally westerly; the barometer and thermometer readings were below the average. Earthquakes were reported by observers at Taranaki on 8th at 7.20 a.m.; and at Queenstown on 2nd, slight. A tidal disturbance was observed at many of the stations on the East Coast on the 11th. A brilliant meteor was observed in the extreme North on the 11th, and one at Lyttelton on the 15th.

J. HECTOR, Inspector.