Sept. 18.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 2805

Government Meteorological Observatory.

METEOROLOGICAL Observations at Kelburn, Wellington, for the Month of July, 1930. Observation taken at 9 a.m.

Altitude of Observatory, 415 ft.

Mean earth temperature at 1 ft., 44·7°; and at 3 ft., 47·7°. Number of rain days, 23.

DIRECTION OF WIND.

Gale (force 8 or more). Forces 4 to 7. Calm. N. N.E. E. S.E. S. S.W. W. N.W.
1 | 13 | 7 | 3½ | 6½ | .. | 5½ | 5 | 2½ | .. | 1

NOTE.—A cloudy and unsettled month, with moderate to strong southerly winds prevailing, and reaching gale force at times. The coldest July for thirty-five years. Precipitation, which was of a showery nature, was 20 per cent. below the average at Karori Reservoir, near Kelburn. Total bright sunshine, 108·8 hours, 37 per cent. of the possible, and four sunless days. Frost was recorded on the grass on twelve mornings, and fog was in evidence on five days. There was a very light fall of snow on the morning of the 25th. Lightning was seen on the 24th, thunder was heard on the 20th and 24th, and hail fell on seven days. Mean dew-point, 39°; and mean vapour pressure, 0·237 in.

SUMMARY FOR THE MONTH OF JULY, 1930.

July, 1930, will be remembered for the very cold weather experienced, especially during the latter half. Southerly winds prevailed almost continuously, except for a short spell between the 17th and the 19th, and frequently reached gale force. Hail showers were numerous and widespread. The high country, also, received many falls of snow which extended on several occasions to parts of the low levels. The falls in general were not heavy, and indeed on the ranges there is less than the usual amount for the time of year. Very seldom indeed, however, has snow been so widely recorded as on the morning of the 28th. Between the 27th and 29th there were comparatively few places south of Auckland, except in Westland and parts of Nelson and Marlborough, which did not receive a few flakes. In many cases it was more than thirty years since snow had been seen previously.

Frosts were naturally numerous everywhere, and from Canterbury southwards there were few nights when they were not recorded. Temperatures were much below normal, several stations having the coldest month on record. At many, however, 1895 or 1918, and in some 1901 and 1908, were colder.

Rain fell on more days than usual, but in most districts the total falls were considerably below average. The deficiencies were particularly marked in Nelson, Marlborough, and the interior of the South Island. Parts of North Canterbury and Hawke’s Bay and a few isolated places elsewhere received rather more than the normal.

As a result of the low temperatures there has, of course, been very little growth of vegetation, and in many districts feed is getting scarce. Stock on the whole are in fair condition, but an anxious time for farmers is ahead, especially in connection with lambing, unless milder weather comes soon. There were some losses of early lambs in Hawke’s Bay, and milk yields have fallen off. Should good, warm rains be received, however, there would be a rapid improvement in prospects.

During the first eight days of the month the weather was the finest and mildest over most of the country that had been experienced for some time. An anticyclone moved on to the Dominion on the 2nd, and on the 4th became centred over the southern portion. It remained practically stationary in this position until the 8th, and clear skies and light winds were the rule. Such rain as fell came mainly in the night time. On the 5th and 6th there was fairly general rain, with many heavy falls in the districts about and south of Auckland. The Waihou River rose very high, and some severe flooding occurred, especially in and around Thames.