June 26.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 987

ABSTRACT of METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS, New Zealand, for the Quarter ending 31st March, 1884.

JANUARY.

FEBRUARY.

MARCH.

NOTES FOR JANUARY, 1884.

Auckland.—Generally fine weather at this station, with little rainfall, and moderate winds prevailing from S.W.; maximum rain on 16th, ·40 in.

Wellington.—Fine on first two days, then up to 23rd showery and squally weather; wind chiefly N.W., and very strong on 9th, 10th, 14th, 15th, and 16th, especially on 14th; heavy rain recorded on that day, 1·66 in.; on 20th rain commenced about midnight, wind changing to S.W., and rain continued without ceasing for thirty-six hours up to noon on 22nd, 5·05 in. falling, and doing considerable damage throughout the country, the heaviest fall on record, and accompanied with strong southerly gale; fine weather from 23rd to 27th, followed by showers to end of month, wind N.W. and S.W.; altogether usually bad weather throughout the month; lightning and slight thunder on 2nd, 3rd, and 19th, and loud thunder on 28th.

Lincoln.—Squally and wet weather; wind prevailed from S.W., but, except on 23rd, moderate; maximum rain on 22nd, ·92 in.

Dunedin.—Wet unpleasant month, with heavy rain and squally, wind chiefly from S.W.; maximum rain recorded on 30th, 1·004 in.

GENERAL REMARKS.—Squally wet weather generally with heavy rain, especially during middle of month; wind S.W.; temperature below average. Earthquake reported on 30th, at Wellington, at 1 a.m., slight.

NOTES FOR FEBRUARY, 1884.

Auckland.—Tolerably fine weather, small total rainfall, though showery at times; maximum fall, ·54 in. on 9th; prevailing southerly winds, and moderate.

Wellington.—On the whole fine, bright, warm weather during this month, with light showers at intervals, at times very warm; maximum rain recorded on 8th, ·45 inch; prevailing wind N.W., and strong on 4th, 5th, 23rd, and 26th.

Lincoln.—Small total rainfall, maximum on 24th, ·810 in; prevailing N.E. wind, and at times strong; generally fine weather.

Dunedin.—At times very showery; maximum rainfall on 1st, 1·40 in.; wind variable and moderate.

GENERAL REMARKS.—On the whole fine weather prevailed, with moderate wind and small rainfall, except in South; temperature below average. Slight earthquake reported in North on 1st, after midnight. Meteors seen on 22nd and 23rd.

NOTES FOR MARCH, 1884.

Auckland.—From 1st to 6th fine, clear, and bright, with light variable winds, barometer high; from 7th to 10th showery, N.E. gale on 8th, shifting to S.W. on following day; from 11th to 18th mostly fine, showers on 13th and 16th, wind variable and light; 19th and 20th strong breeze from N.E., with occasional showers; 21st to 23rd unsettled and showery, heavy thunderstorm on the 23rd; from 24th to end of the month fine and clear, with unusually high barometer, reaching 30·70 on the 29th.

Wellington.—Fine early part, wind N.W.; from 6th to 11th showery and rather dull, wind S.E. and cool, ·73 in. rain on 9th, the maximum for month; from 12th to 19th pleasant weather, N.W. and S.E. winds, and moderate; 20th to 24th rather showery, though bright at times; 25th to end of month fine pleasant weather, with light variable wind—altogether a pleasant month; prevailing winds S.E. and N.W., and moderate.

Lincoln.—Fine weather, with little rain and moderate wind, chiefly easterly; maximum rainfall on 9th, ·34 in.

Dunedin.—Showery at times, but on the whole tolerably fine weather, with moderate and variable wind; maximum rain on 5th, ·87 in.

GENERAL REMARKS.—Fine weather, with moderate rainfall and winds; temperature below average. Earthquake in North on 19th, at 4.30 p.m., slight,

J. HECTOR, Inspector,