Oct. 19.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 2445

New Zealand Rainfall for September, 1905—continued.

SOUTH ISLAND—continued.

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

Eweburn Nursery, Ranfurly .. | A. W. Roberts .. | 163 | 13 | 58 on 1st
Kokonga .. | R. W. Glendinning .. | 378 | 14 | 127 on 1st
Caversham .. | G. M. Burlinson .. | 538 | 13 | ..
Gladbrook St’n, Middlemarch | A. Mackenzie .. | 248 | 12 | 89 on 1st
Tarras (a) .. | R. K. Smith .. | .. | .. | ..
Queenstown .. | A. H. Hiddlestone .. | 220 | 7 | 60 on 17th
Galloway, Alexandra South .. | A. Gunn.. .. | 94 | 9 | 39 on 1st
Clyde .. | J. S. Dickie .. | 200 | 6 | 80 on 2nd
Roxburgh .. | Dr. J. R. Gilmour .. | 133 | 10 | 32 on 2nd
Balclutha .. | J. W. Brame .. | 321 | 11 | 120 on 1st
Tapanui Nursery .. | R. G. Robinson .. | 562 | 13 | 192 on 21st
Waikawa Valley .. | J. H. Buckingham .. | 521 | 19 | 95 on 21st
Toi Toi Estate, Waimahaka .. | W. R. Baird .. | 225 | 15 | 55 on 28th
Centre Hill Station, Mossburn.. | R. Gray .. | 342 | 15 | 128 on 2nd
Dipton .. | R. D. MacLachlan .. | 166 | 13 | 67 on 1st
Birchwood, Nightcaps .. | Mrs. R. McKenzie .. | 352 | 18 | 82 on 1st
Nightcaps .. | James Ritchie .. | 319 | 19 | 116 on 1st
Otautau .. | N. A. McLaren .. | 353 | 18 | 68 on 1st and 28th
Riverton .. | J. M. Geary .. | 303 | 19 | 74 on 28th
Te Tua .. | H. A. Archdall .. | 360 | 16 | 51 on 27th

(I.) ISLANDS.

Chatham Islands (b) .. | A. Shand .. | 516 | 26 | 125 on 21st
Stewart Island .. | W. Traill .. | 437 | 20 | 73 on 26th

Late returns—
(a) August .. .. .. .. .. | 45 | 4 | 23 on 31st
(b) " .. .. .. .. .. | 797 | 24 | 120 on 21st

A. HAMILTON, Director.

METEOROLOGICAL REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER, 1905.

ALTHOUGH the month of September in New Zealand is usually associated with lachrymose spring, yet this season it was exceptionally wet and gloomy, and, speaking generally, the number of rainy days nearly double the average. The total fall, however, was in some cases (particularly in the north and north-east of the North Island) somewhat below the mean for previous years; but over Canterbury and in parts of Otago the fall was from two to four times greater than the average, and at most stations in those districts exceeding all previous records for the month. In Dunedin, for example, the registers extend, with only one or two breaks, to 1855, and give an average for September of 259 points of rain on thirteen days, and a previous maximum of 817 points on eighteen days in September, 1893, whereas this year the record is 1105 points on twenty-four days. September last year was also a very wet month throughout the colony.

Indications at several times throughout the month showed that heavier falls of rain and snow also occurred at higher levels than in the preceding months, and in the lower parts of the country in September, and the reason that floods were not more marked is that this is the storage period of the year, when the surface of the earth is more porous, and the soil retains the moisture for vegetation, and to gradually percolate down lower levels.

In the returns comparatively few references occur with regard to thunder throughout the South Island; but in the North Island thundery conditions were very prevalent, particularly about the 1st, 8th, 9th, 10th, 16th, and especially the 26th and 27th. Showers of hail were common, and were all apparently associated with a rising barometer. At Te Tua, in the western district of Southland, Mr. Archdall mentions: “On Thursday night, 28th ultimo, a short but very heavy hail-storm occurred at 9 p.m. The hailstones were the size of two good peas. A very vivid display of lightning also occurred; several totara telegraph-posts were splintered from top to bottom, in one case the heart-wood, about the size of a man’s wrist, was left standing. At the base of two or three large dead pines peaty earth was thrown outwards for a distance of 5 or 6 yards, and all branches and small logs were also thrown aside. This only happened in one place in this district, and, strange to state, it was only in the same locality last year that a birch-tree was fired by lightning, ignition taking place at the top of the tree.” With regard to thunderstorms, Mr. L. J. Adams, of Ruatangata Nursery, near Whangarei, says, “Heavy thunder-showers swept over this district occasionally between the 1st and 23rd. The storms appeared to travel on a curved path, and had a radius of about eighty miles at their greatest distance. They arrived at Whangarei about half an hour later in each day, and then rain, and sometimes hail, fell in torrents, and lasted a few minutes to an hour.”

The month was ushered in with a low barometer, and barometric pressure was below the normal throughout the month; on the 26th, in the extreme south, it went down to 29 in. for an antarctic disturbance which was associated with wintry weather throughout the colony. Twin disturbances of low pressure accounted for the very unsettled weather between the 14th and 24th. Low temperatures were experienced in the early mornings of the 5th, 15th, 25th, and especially the 30th. Mean ground temperatures were higher than usual, but the air temperatures were lower.

The effects of the weather were very marked, agricultural operations being brought in many parts almost to a stand-still. The prevention of spring sowing of wheat and oats this year will also account for larger sowings of turnips.

With regard to stock, in both August and September there were references to the loss of older breeding-ewes, but the lambing has been generally satisfactory, and percentages good. Losses occurred with the cold and heavy rains at the end of September, and some observers in Canterbury estimate a reduction of from 4 to 5 per cent. in the lambs.

Great differences exist in the different districts of the colony with regard to the effects of the weather upon vegetation, fruit-trees, stock, &c., on which it seems almost impossible to generalise, and extracts from reports will be more instructive

Mr. W. R. Coxhead, at Rangiahua, in the far north, reported: “A very cold and stormy month, with much thunder. Early potato-crops likely to be a failure; seed in some cases rotted in the ground from the continuous rain, and in others, where the crops looked well, the blight has ruined them. Trees were coming slowly into leaf.” Mr. Adams, about thirty-five miles further south, also says, “Considerable damage occurred amongst the fruit-trees and vines. Potato-blight is general, and under the circumstances difficult to combat, as the weather is all in its favour, and people hardly understand its treatment. All grasses and oats (Algerian) show good growth; sweet vernal, cocksfoot, rye, and other grasses already throwing up seed-heads.”

Miss N. Trimble, of Inglewood, Taranaki, reported: “The weather was most unfavourable for agricultural operations, harrowing and sowing being brought to a standstill by the continuous but not heavy rain. Stock suffered a good deal from