1152
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 45

New Zealand Rainfall for April, 1905—continued.

SOUTH ISLAND—continued.

(H.) SOUTH ASPECT—CAPE SAUNDERS TO POYSEGUR POINT.

Eweburn Nursery, Ranfurly .. | A. W. Roberts .. | .. | 1·65 | 11 | 0·44 on 19th
Kokonga .. | R. W. Glendinning | .. | 1·55 | 11 | 0·46 on 19th
Caversham .. | G. M. Burlinson | .. | 2·33 | 16 | 0·47 on 3rd
Gladbrook St’n, Middlemarch | A. Mackenzie .. | .. | 1·36 | 8 | 0·34 on 21st
Tarras .. | T. McWhirter .. | .. | 0·57 | 3 | 0·31 on 10th
Queenstown .. | A. H. Hiddlestone | .. | 2·08 | 9 | 0·62 on 19th
Galloway, Alexandra South .. | A. Gunn.. | .. | 0·56 | 7 | 0·28 on 9th
Clyde .. | J. S. Dickie .. | .. | 0·31 | 3 | 0·15 on 20th
Roxburgh .. | Dr. J. R. Gilmour | .. | 1·675 | 11 | 0·875 on 10th
Balclutha .. | J. W. Brame .. | .. | 2·18 | 12 | 0·51 on 9th
Tapanui Nursery .. | R. G. Robinson.. | .. | 3·99 | 14 | 0·62 on 16th
Waikawa Valley .. | J. H. Buckingham | .. | 5·98 | 22 | 0·89 on 15th
Toi Toi Estate, Waimahaka .. | W. R. Baird .. | .. | 5·20 | 23 | 0·865 on 15th
Woodlands .. | J. Mehaffey .. | .. | .. | .. | ..
Centre Hill Station, Mossburn.. | R. Gray .. | .. | 3·73 | 15 | 0·70 on 20th and 25th
Dipton .. | R. D. MacLachlan | .. | 2·40 | 12 | 0·63 on 25th
Birchwood, Nightcaps .. | Mrs. R. McKenzie | .. | 3·19 | 17 | 0·41 on 15th
Nightcaps .. | James Ritchie .. | .. | 3·41 | 15 | 0·555 on 15th
Otatau(a) .. | N. A. McLaren .. | .. | 5·33 | 18 | 0·84 on 15th
Te Tua .. | H. A. Archdall .. | .. | 5·33 | 18 | 0·815 on 15th

(I.) ISLANDS.

Chatham Islands(b) .. | A. Shand .. | .. | .. | .. | ..
Stewart Island .. | W. Traill .. | .. | 6·57 | 27 | 1·03 on 15th

Late returns—
(a) March .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | 1·75 | 11 | 0·49 on 11th
(b) " .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | 6·75 | 18 | 1·75 on 17th

A. HAMILTON, Director.

GENERAL SUMMARY FOR APRIL, 1905.

THE month of April marks mid-autumn in New Zealand; and at this period atmospheric pressure is usually higher than at any other time of the year. In the past month, although the barometer was fairly high and not subject to extremes, it was somewhat unsteady, and the weather showery in consequence. Westerly winds had a very marked prevalence throughout the colony, and were generally moderate. Two westerly or antarctic depressions affected the greater part of the country on the 3rd and 21st; while a mild sub-tropical cyclone brought an abundance of rain in most parts about the 16th and 17th. At this time there occurred at Hawke’s Bay a remarkable and fortunately rare storm in New Zealand. It is very singular that an almost exactly similar storm visited the same district on the same date eight years ago. Mr. T. R. Moore, of Waimarama, writes: “On Monday night, 17th April, there was a phenomenal storm of wind and rain. It began with a light, drizzling rain from the south-west and south. As it got dark the wind and rain increased, until one was a hurricane and the other a deluge. For thirty years that I have been here nothing has ever approached this storm. It took the tops off pine-trees, and drove the rain under the galvanised-iron roof and the weather-boards, flooding the rooms facing that way. In the morning the whole place was under water, and the creeks higher than ever seen before. When I registered the fall at 9 a.m. there was, as a result of a little over thirteen hours’ rainfall, 7·37 in. of rain in the gauge.” Mr. G. C. Williams, of Mangakuri, registered a total of 6·37 in. for the 17th, and notes that the fall was associated with thunder, and had an intensity of an inch an hour for four hours.

When it is remembered that a single inch of rain means over 101 tons of water to the acre, this shows what a strain would be put upon the drainage system of the Napier Plains. On the 17th April, 1897, occurred a flood, with loss of life, and the records of the rainfall then may be compared with those given above in the returns. In April, 1897, Rakamoana had 7·30 in. and Napier 3·50 in. on 16th; Hastings 7·65 in., Te Aute 5·97 in., Maraekakaho 7·30 in., Mangakuri 3·92 in., Tutira Lake 6·47 in., Gwavas 5·66 in., Mount Vernon 4·00 in., Ormondville 5·80 in., on 17th; while Waimarama shows 4·85 in. credited to the 16th. In connection with the late storm, the records furnished by the Rev. D. Kennedy, D.D., at his observatory, Meeanee, show a remarkable change of temperature. On the afternoon of the 16th it was 81° Fahr. air-temperature in the shade, and 140° Fahr. in the sun, black-bulb thermometer in vacuo. On the 17th, 60° Fahr. in shade, and 71° Fahr. in the sun. On the 18th it was 53·3° Fahr. in the shade, and 106° Fahr. in the sun. Dr. Kennedy’s barograph, set to standard on 14th, shows pressure of 30·1 in. at 9 a.m. on 15th; 29·66 in. at 3 p.m. on 16th; 29·8 in. at 8 a.m., and 29·6 in. at 10 p.m., on 17th; then rising to 29·8 in. at 6 a.m. on 18th. Apparently there were two secondary cyclones, in neither of which, alone, was there sufficient movement to account for the storm, and they may have joined their forces.

During the month there were several fine and very pleasant days, but conditions were more dull and stormy than expected in the South. Although the bulk of the harvest was previously secured there in excellent condition, the late harvesting was very protracted and trying work. Some crops were still in the stock at the end of April.

The dry period experienced generally until April did not permit of the usual early growth of winter feed; so the rains of April were mostly welcomed for the pastures and feed-crops. These were much benefited, but in many parts were not altogether satisfactory at the end of the month. Frosts occurred unusually early, but did not do much damage; although as far north as Rangiahua, Hokianga Harbour, Mr. W. R. Coxhead reports having experienced several sharp frosts, which were most unusual for April. Kumara-plants and maize were cut off—an occurrence never previously noticed in his eighteen years’ residence in that locality. Frosts occurred on about four nights in parts of both Islands, and several heavy dews were generally experienced. Autumn mists, haze, and fogs were common, and in the mornings frequently preceded days of most agreeable weather. Fog was heavy at the end of the month. Atmospheric currents—upper and lower—were frequently noticed going in opposite directions. Snow fell on the 3rd, 17th, and 22nd, and at other times, on high lands and mountains, but soon melted. Thunder, lightning, and hail accompanied the trough of the antarctic depressions in some parts on the 3rd, and in many on the 20th and 21st. Farmers mostly desired to be early with their ploughing this autumn, but were kept back by the hardness of the soil until after Easter. Stock is reported as healthy and in good condition.

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

Meteorological Office, Colonial Museum, Wellington, 15th May, 1905.