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THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

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

• The stations marked thus * are furnished with aneroid barometers only.

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

NOTES FOR DECEMBER, 1877.

Mongonui.—Very fine weather throughout; maximum rain recorded on 7th, 52 in.; thunder on 23rd and 24th, with showers; prevailing
westerly wind and light.

Auckland.—Generally fine, warm, pleasant weather; wind prevailed from S.W. and W., and mostly light; only one gale on 13th and
14th from S.W.; short violent thunder storm with heavy rain on 28th; 1.055 in. rain recorded on 29th, maximum for month.

Taranaki.—Very unsettled weather prevailed; frequent showers, though total rain under average, the maximum fall recorded on 1st,
53 in.; severe gale on 6th and 7th from N., damaging wind instruments; westerly winds prevailed.

Napier.—Generally fine, at times very warm; a few showers, but the maximum fall only 51 in., recorded on 1st; winds moderate, and
prevailed from N.E.

Wellington.—Fine first few days; on morning of 5th rain came on with strong N.W. wind; also stormy on 6th, and continued showery
up to 11th, on which date 1.40 in. rain recorded, the maximum for the month; fine weather for remainder of month, with an
occasional shower; rather dull and wet towards end from S.E.; strong wind on 27th from N.W.; thunder and lightning, with heavy
rain, on evening of 8th from S.E.; prevailing N.W. wind.

Wanganui.—

Nelson.—Fine weather generally with prevailing westerly winds; strong on 6th, 7th, and 8th; maximum rain registered on 7th, 67 in.

Cape Campbell.—Very stormy and hazy weather; prevailing N.W. winds; maximum rain recorded on 29th, 21 in.; thunder on 9th;
fog on 11th.

Christchurch.—Fine from 1st to 6th; on night of 6th S.W. gale, no rain, barometer 29.377; fine on 7th; storm of hail and rain on
8th, S.W.; from 9th to 22nd fine and settled; 22nd dull and showery; fine and dry until 28th, when it rained, also thunder; 97 in.
rain recorded on 29th, the maximum for month; fine to end of month; prevailing N.E. winds.

Bealey.—Gloomy showery weather, with an occasional fine warm day; maximum rain recorded on 6th, 3.580 in.; thunder storm on 21st;
prevailing winds from N. and N.W., and strong gales on four days.

Hokitika.—Very wet unpleasant weather almost throughout; the maximum rain recorded on 6th, 2.60 in.; prevailing westerly winds;
very stormy on 5th, 6th, and 27th, with rain; fog on 15th and 16th.

Dunedin.—Generally fine, with occasional showers; the maximum rainfall recorded on 22nd, 710 in.; prevailing N.E. winds and
moderate.

Queenstown.—Changeable weather experienced throughout; maximum rain recorded on 6th, 1.70 in.; prevailing N.W. winds and light,
often calm; fog on 6th and 28th.

Southland.—Tolerably fine month; prevailing westerly winds and often strong; thunder on 28th; maximum rain recorded on 6th, 91 in.

GENERAL REMARKS.

Fine weather generally experienced during this month, although at some of the stations, especially in the South, the rain was in excess
of average. Westerly winds prevailed, and on the 6th a storm from that quarter was felt at many places; the temperature was on the
whole about the average for this month. An earthquake at Taupo was reported by telegram on 8th, at 4.15 a.m., smart.

J. HECTOR, Inspector.