2662
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 99

New Zealand Rainfall for October, 1905—continued.

SOUTH ISLAND—continued.

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

The Heights, Geraldine .. | W. M. Moore .. | 371 | 19 | 84 on 26th.
Orari Gorge .. | Mrs. B. H. Tripp | 581 | 14 | 105 on 26th
Orari Estate, Orari.. | G. A. M. Macdonald | 279 | 15 | 89 on 26th
Lambrock, Fairlie .. | D. H. Gillingham | .. | .. | ..
Pleasant Point .. | J. Bishop .. | 260 | 13 | 55 on 27th
Timaru Reservoir .. | J. Courtney .. | 255 | 14 | 100 on 26th
Timaru .. | R. Ferguson .. | 264 | 13 | 97 on 26th
Waimate .. | W. M. Hamilton | .. | .. | ..
Hermitage, Mount Cook(2,510 ft.) | D. McDonald .. | 718 | 13 | 177 on 20th
Oteake .. | J. Tait .. | 144 | 12 | 37 on 20th
Windsor Park, Oamaru .. | W. Menlove .. | 153 | 10 | 46 on 26th
Kauroo Hill, Maheno .. | C. de S. Teschemaker | 165 | 9 | 40 on 27th
Orokonui Home, Waitati .. | R. Butcher .. | 515 | 15 | 92 on 11th
Fish-hatchery, Portobello .. | F. Anderton .. | 618 | 20 | 140 on 12th

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

Eweburn Nursery, Ranfurly .. | A. W. Roberts .. | 92 | 8 | 43 on 12th
Kokonga .. | R. W. Glendinning | 137 | 14 | 47 on 12th
Gladbrook St'n, Middlemarch | J. L. Wilkin .. | 308 | 14 | 78 on 12th
Tarras (a) .. | R. K. Smith .. | 112 | 8 | 49 on 11th
Queenstown .. | A. H. Hiddlestone | 152 | 7 | 43 on 8th
Galloway, Alexandra South .. | A. Gunn.. .. | 110 | 11 | 40 on 8th
Clyde .. | J. S. Dickie .. | 141 | 6 | 55 on 9th
Roxburgh .. | Dr. J. R. Gilmour | 298 | 12 | 167 on 13th
Balclutha .. | J. W. Brame .. | 414 | 8 | 140 on 10th
Tapanui Nursery .. | R. G. Robinson.. | 645 | 7 | 212 on 12th
Waikawa Valley .. | J. H. Buckingham | 499 | 19 | 110 on 9th
Toi Toi Estate, Waimahaka .. | W. R. Baird .. | 374 | 16 | 95 on 12th
Centre Hill Station, Mossburn.. | R. Gray .. | 442 | 17 | 141 on 10th
Dipton .. | R. D. MacLachlan | 508 | 14 | 132 on 9th
Birchwood, Nightcaps .. | Mrs. R. McKenzie | 620 | 20 | 150 on 12th
Nightcaps .. | James Ritchie .. | 629 | 21 | 149 on 12th
Otatau .. | N. A. McLaren .. | .. | .. | ..
Riverton .. | J. M. Geary .. | 504 | 21 | 105 on 12th
Te Tua .. | H. A. Archdall .. | 520 | 17 | 185 on 12th

(I.) ISLANDS.

Chatham Islands .. | A. Shand .. | .. | .. | ..
Stewart Island .. | W. Traill .. | 326 | 19 | 64 on 29th

Late return—
(a) September .. .. .. .. | 190 | 12 | 55 on 23rd

A. HAMILTON, Director.

METEOROLOGICAL REPORT, OCTOBER, 1905.

Our October weather is the most variable of the year, for great changes of ten occur during the month, and from year to year it presents different characteristics. In 1903 the month was very dry, but last year, especially in parts of the North Island, it was about the wettest of any month on record; this year the fall was again much above the average, and the number of rainy days greater. Some very heavy falls also occurred in various districts at different times. In all parts, except Southland, during winter and spring, so far, the weather has been generally much wetter than usual.

In the North Island the returns are generally one third above the average rainfall for October. Three places only registered below their former averages—Hauturu and Wairoa South on the East Coast are somewhat lower, but Featherston on the Wairarapa Plains is again exceptionally light. On the other hand, the returns from Rangiahua (on Hokianga Harbour), Hamilton, Taupo, Stratford, Wanganui, Otaki, Pahiatua, and Herbertville are about double the normal for those places. Rangiahua has been exceptionally wet. From 27th August to 31st October there were only three days on which no rain fell. From 7th September to 16th October rain fell every day.

In the South Island the rainfall was singularly uneven in its distribution. The prevalence of easterly winds accounted for many differences. It was below the average on the West Coast, but nearly double over Nelson, North Canterbury, and especially Marlborough. In the southern parts of Canterbury and parts of Otago it was above the average. While Balclutha and Tapanui are double the average, Queenstown, about seventy miles to the north-west, recorded only half the usual—a minimum in October for seventeen years. Stewart Island also had a minimum October fall in seven years, but generally over Southland the rain was one-third above the average for October. At Puysegur Point, at the extreme south-west of the South Island, where the rainfall is the heaviest in the colony, it was last month only half the usual—last year was the minimum, 476 points on seventeen days—and the October maximum of 3785 points on twenty-five days occurred in 1899.

Atmospheric pressure was lower than usual; and, though not subject to extremes, the movements of the barometer were considerable—four areas of low pressure flanking three high-pressure areas. These changes accounted for the thunderstorms, which, with the times of their occurrence, are now recorded by an increasing number of observers. Atmospheric electricity seems to have a wider effect on our heavy rainfalls than has hitherto been suspected or is apparent to local observers. Thunder may not be evident at a place where it is raining heavily, but the fall often seems related to an electrical storm a great many miles away. The excessive humidity of the atmosphere accounted for the temperature being everywhere above the mean for the month.

Growth is on the whole more forward than last year, but in some parts farmers and graziers have had trying times. The potato-disease has spread all over the colony, and must be taken seriously. Cereals and other seeds in some cases have been sown over again in gardens and fields; and late sowing, with other agricultural operations, have been greatly retarded or altogether prevented where the rainfall has been the heaviest. Shearing has been very difficult, and will be late.

Fruit-trees are everywhere reported as promising good crops.