Nov. 10.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 2719

Rainfall for October, 1904—continued.

SOUTH ISLAND—continued.

(C.) EAST ASPECT.—KAIKOURA TO CAPE SAUNDERS—continued.

Fairlie .. .. D. H. Gillingham .. .. ..
Waimate .. .. W. M. Hamilton .. 3·61 15 1·84 on 12th
Geraldine .. .. E. F. Temple .. 6·36 14 2·46 on 12th
Orari Gorge (Woodbury) .. Mrs. B. E. H. Tripp .. 8·87 15 4·00 on 12th
Windsor Park (Oamaru) .. E. Menlove .. 2·10 10 1·07 on 13th
Maheno (Oamaru) .. R. J. Hendrie .. .. .. ..
Kauroo Hill, Maheno .. C. de S. Teschemaker .. 2·42 12 0·96 on 12th
Palmerston (South) .. B. Galloway .. .. .. ..

(D.) SOUTH ASPECT—CAPE SAUNDERS TO POYSEGUIR POINT.

Otekaike (Oamaru) .. John Tait .. 2·30 12 0·68 on 12th
Queenstown .. L. Hotop .. 1·48 6 0·35 on 23rd
St. Bathan’s(a) .. J. Ewing .. .. .. ..
Gladbrook Station, Middle- F. R. Jeffreys .. 3·96 14 1·21 on 12th
march
Roxburgh .. .. Dr. W. J. Mullin .. 3·10 13 1·09 on 12th
Kokonga .. .. R. W. Glendinning .. 2·32 12 0·91 on 1st
Tarras .. .. T. McWhirter .. 1·62 5 0·79 on 11th
Orokonui Home, Waitati .. Dr. Gault .. 3·00 15 0·81 on 11th
Caversham .. .. G. M. Burlinson .. 3·71 16 0·98 on 2nd
Blackmount (Clifden) .. Mrs. R. McKenzie .. 5·24 16 2·585 on 25th
Ranfurly (Eweburn) .. A. W. Roberts .. 1·13 9 0·38 on 12th
Tapanui .. .. R. G. Robinson .. 2·28 12 0·35 on 3rd
Balclutha .. .. J. W. Brame .. 1·80 12 0·41 on 11th
Galloway (Alexandra South) .. A. Gunn .. .. .. ..
Clyde .. .. J. S. Dickie .. 1·63 7 0·50 on 1st
Woodlands .. .. J. Mehaffey .. 3·13 15 0·52 on 3rd
Dipton .. .. R. D. MacLachlan .. 3·45 9 1·84 on 25th
Ratanui .. .. J. Frazer .. .. .. ..
Otatau .. .. N. A. McLaren .. 3·52 14 0·98 on 25th
Nightcaps .. .. J. Ritchie .. 4·27 13 1·39 on 25th
Waikawa Valley .. J. H. Buckingham .. 3·18 .. 0·52 on 3rd

Ohatham Islands .. A. Shand .. .. .. ..
Stewart Island .. W. Traill .. 4·84 24 1·15 on 17th

Late returns—
(a) { June .. .. .. .. .. 3·74 15 0·96 on 16th
July .. .. .. .. .. 0·42 3 0·20 on 19th
August .. .. .. .. .. 1·85 8 0·68 on 18th
September .. .. .. .. .. 2·07 6 0·63 on 22nd

A. HAMILTON, Director.

SUMMARIES.

Wellington.—The total rainfall, 12·94 in., for October is the highest recorded in Wellington in any month during the past forty years. This month is usually dry, and last year only 0·67 in. was recorded in the same period, while this month is 9·03 in. above the average. The rain was most persistent, especially about the 12th and 13th, and 24th and 25th, and was greatly absorbed by the soil and growing plants, so that few floods were noticed, but many slips of embankments, &c., occurred. The rain on the 12th was especially cold, and the weather was most disagreeable. High winds occurred on the 5th, 6th, 9th, 12th, and 13th. The strong, dry, northerly winds of the 5th and 6th were steadier than those of the 12th and 15th. The Robinson anemometer was in thorough working order but its records were not satisfactory, for though the latter southerly wind was certainly more severe, the anemometer recorded a rather smaller velocity, probably on account of the gusty nature of this gale. October has the highest mean velocity of any month of the year, but this year it was below the average. The gale on the 12th and 13th was thick with rain, and much damage was done to trees, shrubs, shipping, &c. Where exposed the tender spring leaves of trees were blasted as by fire. The wind and rain were both heavier by night than by day. Though the atmospheric conditions were so severe, the height of the terrestrial radiation thermometer shows that the warmth of the soil was not lost by radiation, and no frosts were recorded at the Observatory. Animal life therefore suffered less than was expected. Few lambs were lost, but shearing was generally kept back for a month. The barometric pressure was 0·112 in. below the usual mean for the month, and had a range of less than 7/10 in. The temperature was also 1·7° Fah. below the October mean.

General.—The weather throughout the colony was very unsettled during October, but especially so in the North Island, where a few record rainfalls are noted. The month came in wet, and storms occurred about the middle and heavy showers again at the end of the month. These were intense in parts, and 3·70 in. was recorded at Waihi in six hours on the 27th. Frosts were nowhere severe, but occurred about the 4th. On the 12th of October an area of low pressure was passing over the North Island, while a high pressure prevailed over the South. As the winds move round the centres of these in contrary directions, and impinging like the rims of two wheels together, they joined their forces and swept through Cook Strait. This withering S.W. gale was most severely felt on the northern side of Cook Strait, and on sea and land for some distance on either side to the eastward of both Islands. Great precipitation of rain and snow took place, and thunder, lightning, and hail in some parts of the North. Early-sown crops are reported to be doing well in the North Island and the northern parts of the South Island, but vegetation has grown very slowly in the South. Agriculture has been greatly delayed by the rains of the past two months and the consequent heaviness of the soil. The prevailing winds of the month were N.W., S.W., and N.E. New third-class stations are being established at Methven, in Canterbury; Waimahaka, in Southland; and at Te Mata, near Raglan, and Ihurua Valley, near Mauriceville West, in the North Island. The publication of the new rules has led to the discovery of several irregularities, which are being remedied, and a number of new gauges have been supplied. Dr. Douglas succeeds Mr. T. Walter, of Hamilton, who has done good work in recording the rainfall, weather, and temperatures of the Waikato. Mr. L. Hotop, who has regularly for many years recorded the rainfall at Queenstown, is now handing over the work to Mr. Hiddlestone.

D. C. BATES, F.R.Met.Soc.

Meteorological Office, Wellington, New Zealand,
8th November, 1904.