THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 439

PROVISIONAL METEOROLOGICAL REPORT FOR FEBRUARY, 1879.

NOTE.—This table is prepared from unchecked averages, transmitted by telegraph in anticipation of the full returns, and must not be entirely
relied on for compiling Meteorological Statistics.

Geological Survey Office, March, 1879. J. HECTOR, Inspector.

ABSTRACT of METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS, New Zealand, for the Month of NOVEMBER, 1878.

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

NOTES FOR NOVEMBER, 1878.

Mongonui.—Fine weather; maximum rain recorded on 19th, 420 in.; prevailing northerly winds, and often strong and sultry.

Auckland.—Generally dull, with high wind prevailing from S.W.; much cloud; small rainfall, the maximum recorded on 19th, 360 in.;
slight thunder on 21st and 28th, but violent thunder-storm south of Auckland on night of 23rd; dense fog on night of 28th, and
lighter on night of 29th.

Taranaki.--Thick wet weather generally, with prevailing S.W. wind, and often strong; maximum rain on 23rd, 2.08 in.; thunder on 27th;
fog on 30th.

Napier. Generally fine weather; greatest rain recorded on 23rd, 77 in.; winds variable; some fine westerly weather occurred, wind
often strong.

Wanganui. Showery, unpleasant weather; the maximum rain recorded on 23rd, 1.45 in.; prevailing N.W. winds, and often strong.

Wellington. Generally fine up to 13th from N.W., though strong wind on 5th, 8th, 9th, and amounting to a gale on 10th, 13th, and 15th;
remainder of month showery, with an occasional fine day, and at times fresh breeze, chiefly from N.E.; the maximum rain recorded
on 27th, 1.380 in.; thunder and lightning on the night of 26th, with strong N.E. wind and rain. On the whole an unpleasant month
for the time of year.

Nelson.—Fine early part, showery during middle portion, but wet towards end of month; maximum rain recorded on 27th, 2.54 in.;
prevailing S.W. wind, and at times strong; heavy thunder on night of 26th.

Cape Campbell.—First part strong W. and N.W. winds, and dry weather; heavy N.W. gales on 10th and 11th; latter part of month
variable winds and cloudy showery weather; heavy thunder on night of 27th; maximum rain recorded on 27th, 64 in.

Christchurch.—Strong hot N.W. winds prevailed in early part, causing floods in snow rivers; on 14th a thunder-storm, with hail, of short
duration; on 15th a fierce N.W. wind, with clouds of dust; on 21st and 22nd also strong winds N.W., fine, but warm; on 28th
strong N.W.; winds generally N.E. and N.W.; maximum rain on 1st, 090 in.

Bealey.—Wet and showery, with an occasional fine day; greatest rain recorded on 10th, 2.72 in.; thunder on 9th, 10th, 15th, and 18th;
snow on 11th and 19th; hail on 10th; gales on 11 days; prevailing winds N. and N.W., and strong.

Hokitika.—Very wet month; maximum fall recorded on 6th, 3.60 in.; prevailing S.W. winds, and frequently stormy; thunder on 10th,
11th, 13th, 26th, and 27th; hail on 9th, 10th, 11th, and 20th; fog on 1st, 28th, and 29th.

Dunedin.—Very unsettled up to 23rd, with much wind, especially on 15th, 21st, and 22nd, from N.W. and S.W.; a good deal of N.E.
wind also, but not so strong; maximum rain on 9th, 510 in.

Queenstown.—Cold dull weather, with a good deal of rain; the greatest fall recorded on 9th, 1.44 in.; thunder on 8th; snow fell on hills
on 6 days; fog on 4 days; rather cold for time of year.

Southland.—Early part very warm, but showery; maximum rain recorded on 22nd, 55 in.; prevailing wind from S.W. and W., and
generally strong; thunder on 25th.

GENERAL REMARKS.

Rather a wet stormy month, wind generally from S.W. and westerly; temperature on the whole about the average; frequent thunder-
storms occurred. Earthquakes reported at Queenstown on 8th, at 3.20 a.m.; on 14th, at 12.8 p.m., smart; and on 27th, at 6.40 a.m.

J. HECTOR, Inspector.