JULY 8.]
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 981

NOTES FOR JANUARY, 1880.

Mongonui.-Fine weather generally; maximum rain on 13th, 1.260 in.; strong S.E. wind on 29th and 30th, otherwise winds variable and
moderate.
Auckland.-Fine, though often dull and threatening at the commencement; maximum rain recorded on 13th, with strong S.E. gale for a
few hours; strong N.E. winds on the 25th and 26th, and from E. on 30th, otherwise moderate and variable.
Taranaki.-From 11th to 16th very showery from S.E. and W., 2.50 inches rain recorded on 14th; otherwise weather fine; prevailing
S.W. and W. winds.
Napier.-Very fine; maximum rain on 14th, 69 in.; prevailing N.E. wind and moderate; strong N.W. breeze on 27th; very vivid
lightning with thunder recorded on 1st.
Wellington.-Generally very fine bright weather, with pleasant breezes; very warm at times; showery from 10th to 16th; the maximum
rainfall recorded on 14th, 800 in.; prevailing N.W. winds, and strong on 15th, 19th, 21st, and 26th, otherwise moderate; some
pleasant S.E. weather; thunder on 14th.
Nelson.-Showery for a few days in middle and at end of month, otherwise very fine and pleasant; maximum rain on 15th, 1.27 in.;
strong S.W. winds on 19th, 20th, and 23rd; wind for remainder variable and moderate; thunder on 14th.
Christchurch.-Very fine until 13th, when rain set in from S.W., lasting a few days, then cleared and remained fine to end with an
occasional shower; maximum rain recorded on 14th, 1.11 in.; prevailing N.E. and S.W. winds, and light; thunder and hail on 16th.
Bealey.-Very fine pleasant weather up to 11th; from 11th to 20th, wet; remainder fine, except on 26th and 27th, 2.450 inches rain
having been recorded on latter date, maximum for month; heavy thunder-storm on 16th; prevailing N.W. winds and gales on 4
days from that quarter; fog on 1 day.
Hokitika.-Fine to 10th, then very wet, with strong winds, chiefly S.W., to 27th, on which date 2.67 in. rain were recorded, the maximum
for the month 9th, strong winds; thunder, on 16th and 18th; hail, 16th; fog on 22nd and 31st.
Dunedin.-Generally fine, with light showers; heavy rain on 15th and 27th, 970 in. recorded on former date, maximum for month;
Queenstown.-Fine to 10th, when cold squally weather came on, with heavy rain and snow; 1.09 in. rain registered on 10th, maximum
for month; remained unsettled to 16th, when snow fell, then fine to end, except a storm on 26th from S.E., with rain; fog on 11th.
Southland.-Occasional showers, but generally dry hot month, with prevailing N.W. and W. winds; gale on night of 22nd from W.;
strong winds on 6 days; thunder on 20th; maximum rainfall on 11th, 77 in.
Chatham Islands.-Fine weather, with prevailing S.W. and W. winds, and strong on 5 days; occasional showers, but a very small rainfall;
160 in. recorded on 16th, being the maximum for month.

GENERAL REMARKS.-Very fine, bright, warm weather generally experienced, the temperature being rather above the average. Rain
about the average, but chiefly occurring during middle of month. Winds moderate on the whole. Earthquake at Queenstown on 9th, at
12.15 p.m., slight.

NOTES FOR FEBRUARY, 1880.

Mongonui.-Fine and very sultry; maximum rain recorded on 17th, 34 in.; prevailing E. and N.E. winds, and strong on 10th and 11th,
otherwise moderate.
Auckland.-Very fine and warm, high barometer; little rain; the maximum fall recorded on 24th, 230 in.; wind light throughout,
chiefly from N. to N.E. and E.; close and oppressive towards end of month.
Taranaki.-Hot and very dry, with prevailing E. winds; strong winds on 1st from S.E., and on 15th from N.; maximum rain on
24th, 94 in.
Napier.-Very dry warm weather, with prevailing N.E. winds and moderate; maximum rain on 24th, 43 in.; on evenings of 5th and
6th, thunder and lightning.
Wellington.-Very fine, bright, pleasant weather throughout, with prevailing N.W. winds and generally moderate; fresh N.W. winds on
15th and 21st; dry, and at times warm; only two days of rain; the maximum 08 in. on 16th.
Nelson.-Very fine throughout; winds variable and light; maximum rain on 27th, 13 in.
Christchurch.-Exceedingly fine bright weather; very slight rain; the maximum recorded on 1st, 07 in.; prevailing N.E. and S.W.
winds, and light; very warm at times; 91.6 temperature in shade on 16th, only exceeded in past 16 years by 95.7 on 24th January,
1871; very high barometer.
Bealey.-Fine and warm, with an occasional showery day; maximum rain recorded on 15th, 81 in.; prevailing wind N.W., and strong
on 14th and 15th, otherwise moderate; fog on 3 days.
Hokitika.-Fine and bright to 13th, then showery for 3 days, then fine to 20th, and showery for remainder of month; maximum rain
recorded on 28th, 1-60 in.; prevailing S.W. winds, and strong on 1st, 15th, 16th, and 17th, otherwise moderate; fog on 3 days.
Dunedin.-Very pleasant weather, with occasional light showers; maximum rain on 24th, 39 in.; winds variable; frequent calms;
rather stormy on 1st from S.W.
Queenstown.-Remarkably fine, and at times very warm; stiff gale of short duration on 15th from N.W.; wind for month variable and
light; often calm; fog on 4 days; maximum rain on 15th, 20 in.
Southland.-A very hot, fine, dry month; prevailing W. winds and light, except on 22nd, which was stormy; maximum rain on
15th, 21 in.
Chatham Islands.-Fine weather, but slight showers at commencement and towards end of month; maximum rain on 24th, 1.03 in.;
prevailing S.W. wind, and strong on 19th; otherwise light.

GENERAL REMARKS.--Remarkably fine, warm, weather throughout; temperature greatly in excess of average, and rainfall much less.
Winds moderate; very high atmospheric pressure. Earthquake felt at Napier on 10th, at.1 p.m., slight, and at Hokitika on 22nd, at
9.30 p.m., slight. A large comet observed in S.W. on 2nd, and visible for many days; several meteors observed during this period.

NOTES FOR MARCH, 1880.

Mongonui.-Fine generally, with occasional showers; heavy rain recorded on 10th, 2.90 in.; prevailing easterly winds, and moderate;
strong S. wind on 12th; thunder, 27th, 28th, and 29th.
Auckland.-Very dry and warm; wind light and variable; strong but short gale from S.W. on 12th, 24th, and 25th; thunder on
29th; maximum rain on 9th, 43 in.
Taranaki.-Fine weather; maximum rain recorded on 8th, 36 in.; prevailing S.E. winds and strong on 18th, 26th, and 27th; thunder
on 21st.
Napier.-Fine to 10th; heavy rain with S.W. gale on 11th; continued wet to 13th; then fine to 17th, when rain commenced and
continued to end of month, at times very heavy, 496 in. the maximum recorded on 20th; from 22nd to 26th, high winds, chiefly
S. and S.W., but constantly changing from N.E. to S.W.
Wanganui.-Generally fine, fine, with showers at intervals; the maximum rainfall recorded on 21st, 90 in.; strong N.W. wind on 14th, and
stormy from S. on 22nd, 23rd, and 24th; thunder on 21st; fog on 28th and 29th.
Wellington.-Early part fine, but oppressive, wind N.E.; showery on 7th; on 10th, wet and strong S.E. wind; fine from 11th to 16th,
N.W.; from 17th to 27th, very wet, unpleasant S.E. weather; almost constant rain, but not cold; maximum rain recorded on 20th,
1.10 in.; strong wind on 19th from S.W., and 22nd, 23rd, and 24th from S.E.; last few days very fine and bright.
Nelson.-Very fine throughout the month; greatest rain recorded on 21st, 41 in.; winds variable and moderate.
Christchurch.-Generally lly fine weather; prevailing N.E. and S.W. winds, and light; maximum rain registered on 1st, 67 in.
Bealey.-Very fine, with occasional showers; greatest fall of rain recorded on 7th, 1.165 in.; heavy gale from from N.W. on 6th; prevailing
N.W. wind in early and S.E. in latter part; fog on 9 days.
Hokitika.-
Dunedin.-Very agreeable weather with light showers; the maximum rainfall occuring on 8th, 45 in.; prevailing N.E. winds and
moderate; thunder on 7th; fog on 10th.
Queenstown.-Fine weather generally, early part rather showery, the maximum rainfall occuring on 14th, 1.10 in., latter part fine; snow
on hills on 11th and 14th; fog on 5 days; light variable winds and frequent calms.
Southland.-A very dry hot month, with light variable winds; maximum rain recorded on 14th, 1.01 in.; on 8th and 12th rather stormy
from westward.
Chatham Islands.-Fine to 9th, then light showers to 16th, fine from 17th to 21st, showers from 22nd to 26th, then fine almost to end;
maximum rain recorded on 24th, 57 in.; prevailing E. winds, and strong on 12th.

GENERAL REMARKS.-At some stations exceedingly fine with little rain, while at others the rain was in excess and the temperature
throughout high. The winds were on the whole moderate, and the weather generally agreeable. At some places it was very warm
and sultry. Earthquakes at Wanganui on 10th, 5.30 a.m, sharp with noise, and 11th, at 11.20 p.m., long heavy roll and noise; at Christ-
church, early on 6th, smart, N. to S., at Dunedin on 5th; at Queenstown on 4th, at 11.51 a.m., smart, and on 5th, at 12.35 a.m.

J. HECTOR,
Inspector of Meteorological Stations.