THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
51

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

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

NOTES FOR AUGUST, 1877.

Mongonui.—Tolerably fine; rain below average, maximum recorded on 24th, 1.76 in.; prevailing N.W. and S.W. wind, and frequently
strong; on 23rd and 24th, strong from N.E., with rain; hail on 9th and 30th.

Auckland.—Early part very fine, clear, and cold; showery towards middle and end; maximum rain recorded on 7th, 595 in.; prevailing
S.W. wind, and generally moderate; hail on 11th, 29th, 30th, and 31st.

Taranaki.—Fine weather generally; light rainfall, the maximum recorded on 7th, 1.24 in.; prevailing wind S.W., and strong on 6th and
7th, also on 21st from N.

Napier.—Fine during middle of month, otherwise showery; maximum rainfall recorded on 17th, 71 in.; southerly winds prevailed, and
moderate.

Wellington.—Fine up to 6th, when it came on wet and stormy from N.W., changing in night to S.E., and still raining; 1.30 inch recorded
on the 7th; fine early part of 7th from N.W., but came on rain in evening, and heavy at night from S.E., and wind; on 11th, strong
N.W. wind in night; showery during middle of month, chiefly from N.W.; on 21st, strong N.W. wind during night, also stormy on
22nd, N.W.; generally dull and showery for remainder of month; on 30th, cold strong S.W. wind, with rain, 1.70 in. recorded on
31st, the maximum for month; fine on 31st, but cold, lightning in night to S.E., and wind from S.W., also severe hail storm; fog
on 2nd.

Wanganui.—Fine commencement of month, and generally showery remainder; the maximum fall of rain registered on 7th, 1.50 in.;
prevailing N.W. wind, and strong on 6th, 7th, and 8th; hail on 8th.

Nelson.—Fine weather generally, with an occasional shower, rather a heavy fall recorded on 7th, 1.68 in.; prevailing S.E. and westerly
winds, strong on 7th and 8th from former quarter, and on 22nd and 23rd from N.W.; fog on 16th.

Cape Campbell.—Fine weather, with generally moderate winds prevailing from westward; southerly gale on 17th, also on 30th from same
quarter; maximum rain recorded on 31st, 47 in.

Christchurch.—Fine early part, showery for a few days in middle, then fine again, and latter part wet; the maximum rain recorded on
26th, 830 in.; prevailing N.E. and S.W. winds, and moderate; a strong S.W. gale on 8th; hail on night of 14th.

Bealey.—Fine and bright first few days, then showery and dull for rest of month; the maximum fall registered on 6th, 2.360 in.; pre-
vailing N.W. wind, and strong on 9th, 11th, and 21st; five days of snow and four days of fog.

Hokitika.—Fine up to 4th, and then wet unpleasant weather experienced throughout, with prevailing easterly winds; gale and rain from
5th to 8th, commencing from S.W. and changing to S.E., with thunder on 7th, and hail on 5th and 7th; maximum rain recorded on
6th, 2.75 in.

Dunedin.—Fine on the whole; light rain, the maximum fall recorded on 30th, 98 in.; strong wind on 30th from S.W., from which quarter
wind prevailed; thunder on 8th; snow on 8th.

Queenstown.—Fine early part, then weather broke, and generally showery to end, an occasional fine day, though dull; maximum rain
recorded on 5th, 96 inch; three days of snow and five days of fog; prevailing N.W. winds, and light.

Southland.—Showery and unpleasant generally, with prevailing westerly winds; strong from 7th to 10th; maximum rain recorded on 29th,
78 in.; hail fell on four days.

GENERAL REMARKS.

About the average weather for the time of year; the rain at most stations less than usual for this month, and no violent storms
occurred; the temperature rather high. Earthquakes felt at Wanganui, on 11th, at 6.30 a.m., slight; Wellington, same date and about
same hour, slight; at Queenstown, a slight shock reported on 14th, at 6 a.m.

J. HECTOR, Inspector.