Nov. 25.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 3051

Government Meteorological Observatory.

METEOROLOGICAL Observations, Wellington, for the month of September, 1909. Observations taken at 9 a.m.

Altitude of new observatory, 110 ft.

• Means, &c. † Means previous years. ‡ Last year’s mean.

NOTE.—The weather was dry and fairly warm. Though above the mean, the barometer was very unsteady and with a great range during the month. Total bright sunshine, 142 hours 23 minutes. Two frosts were recorded on the grass. The mean earth-temperature at 1 ft. was 51·6°, and 51·9° at 3 ft. The mean relative humidity was 72 per cent; dew-point 42·4°; and the mean elastic force of vapour ·271 in.

CLIMATOLOGICAL TABLE.
MEANS AND TOTALS FROM THE CHIEF STATIONS.
September, 1909.

| | SOUTH ISLAND. | | | | | |
| | | Deg. | Deg. | Deg. | Points. | Dys. |
| 34 | NELSON .. | 52·8 | 60·8 | 44·9 | 424 | 11 |
| | J. Sharp and Rev. J. P. Kempthorne | | | | | |
| 490 | MURCHISON | 50·8 | 60·8 | 40·2 | 461 | 15 |
| | Dr. E. H. Howard | | | | | |
| 1218 | HANMER SPA | 47·2 | 56·9 | 37·5 | 178 | 5 |
| | S. J. Collett | | | | | |
| 25 | CHRISTCHURCH | 48·5 | 56·2 | 40·8 | 119 | 12 |
| | B. V. Pemberton | | | | | |
| 42 | LINCOLN .. | 49·4 | 57·4 | 41·5 | 157 | 7 |
| | G. Gray | | | | | |
| 90 | INGLEWOOD, WAI-MATE .. | 46·9 | 54·4 | 39·4 | 71 | 10 |
| | W. M. Hamilton | | | | | |
| 300 | LEITH VALLEY, DUNEDIN | 47·7 | 54·1 | 41·4 | 274 | 11 |
| | H. Skey | | | | | |
| 350 | GORE | 46·9 | 56·7 | 37·1 | 132 | 12 |
| | Captain A. A. Scott | | | | | |
| 12 | HOKITIKA | 52·3 | 61·9 | 42·8 | 717 | 13 |
| | A. D. Macfarlane | | | | | |
| | Averages .. | 49·1 | 57·6 | 40·6 | 281 | 10·6 |

SUMMARY FOR SEPTEMBER, 1909.

Though subject to remarkable oscillations of barometric pressure, the rainfall was not generally above the average in most parts of the country, the lowest being about South Canterbury and North Otago, and the highest in the districts of which Gisborne and Waihi are representative stations. There were no less than seven waves of westerly low pressure, chiefly affecting the South Island, and one distinct cyclonic movement from the north, and another united probably with an extensive westerly area of low pressure. Strong southerly winds and a rising barometer were experienced on the 1st and 2nd. On the 5th a cyclone passed over the northern districts, and was followed by a low pressure from the westward. On the 8th the rear of these two disturbances joined forces with the southerly winds of an oncoming anti-cyclone, and caused strong southerly winds and heavy seas on the east coast. High pressure continued unsteadily until the 16th, when the barometer fell gradually until the 20th, an extensive westerly then apparently united with low pressure from the north, and was followed by strong southerly wind. Pressure was high everywhere on the 23rd and 24th, and low on the 25th. The barometer rose high again in the south on the 27th, but held about the normal in the north, falling everywhere after the 28th to the end of the month. The weather was generally mild and humid, and the spring growth was almost unchecked.

Meteorological Office, Wellington. D. C. BATES, Director,