THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
1169

ABSTRACT of METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS, New Zealand, for the Month of MARCH, 1879.

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

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

NOTES FOR MARCH, 1879.

Mongonui.—A good deal of rain, but chiefly falling during the nights; maximum recorded on 5th, 1.60 in.; wind prevailed from N.E.,
and generally moderate; stormy on 16th.

Auckland.—Excessive rain; maximum recorded on 21st, 1.715 in.; very violent gale during night of 21st from southward; slight thunder
on 21st, and violent thunderstorm on 26th, with heavy rain; pleasant weather between the storms.

Taranaki.—Heavy rain at commencement and end of month, but fine during middle; greatest rainfall recorded on 21st, 1.76 in.; prevailing
S.W. and W. winds, and moderate; stormy on 31st from S.W.

Napier.—Unsettled weather; very wet in early and latter part; maximum fall recorded on 10th, 1.41 in.; wind, variable and moderate;
thunder on 7th and 9th, with rain; wind, S.W.

Wanganui.—Very wet during early and latter part of month; maximum fall recorded on 21st, 1.27 in.; prevailing N.W. winds, and strong
on 31st; pleasant during middle, with light breezes; often calm.

Wellington.—Rather showery early part, and slight rain in middle and end of month, but on the whole fine pleasant weather experienced
with fine bright nights; prevailing N.W. wind, and strong on 17th, 18th, 26th, 27th, and 30th from that quarter; very strong wind on
night of 20th from S.E; maximum rain recorded on 7th, 450 in.

Nelson.—Some heavy rain occurred; maximum on 7th, 1.06 in., but generally pleasant weather, with prevailing N.E. winds, and strong on
4th, 5th, and 20th; also strong from S.W. on 28th and 29th.

Cape Campbell.—Fine, clear weather, with prevailing S.E. and N.W. winds, and at times very strong; only one day on which rain fell, the
10th, 30 in.

Christchurch.—A very dry month; small rainfall; maximum recorded on 10th, 12 in.; very sultry at times; prevailing winds, S.W. and
N.E., changing frequently to N.W.; stormy on 28th and 29th from S.W.

Bealey.—Showery, with an occasional fine, bright day; greatest fall of rain recorded on 31st, 3.470 in.; prevailing N.W. wind, and gales
on seven days; very strong on 30th, with thunderstorm and rain; thunder also on 24th; fog on seven days.

Hokitika.—Very wet month, with only an occasional fine day, and prevailing S.W. wind and stormy; greatest rain recorded on 31st,
3.09 in; thunder on 30th; fog on four days.

Dunedin.—Tolerably fine in early and middle part, but otherwise very showery; maximum fall recorded on 28th, 3.400 in.; prevailing
S.W. wind, and stormy on 28th; otherwise wind moderate.

Queenstown.—First few days showery and foggy, then fine until towards end, when cold and rain were felt, resulting in a good coating of
snow on hills; snow fell on 24th, 28th, 30th, and 31st; thunder on 30th; maximum rain recorded on 28th, 55 in.

Southland.—A wet dull month, with only an occasional bright day; prevailing S.W. and W. winds, and stormy on six days; thunder on
1st and 30th hail on 25th.

Waitangi, Chathams.—Generally fine weather with small rainfall; greatest rain recorded on 7th, 1.09 in.; wind prevailed from N. and
N.W., and at times strong.

GENERAL REMARKS.

Rain generally in excess, but intervals of very fine bright weather experienced throughout. No storms of great violence recorded.
Earthquake at Cape Campbell on 4th at 11.30 p.m., slight.

J. HECTOR, Inspector