May 18.

THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

Government Meteorological Observatory.

M ETEOROLOGICAL Observations at Kelburn, Wellington, for the Month of March, 1933. Observations taken at 9 a.m.

Altitude of Observatory, 415 ft.

Mean earth temperature at 1 ft., 64·0°; and at 3 ft., 63·3°. Number of rain days, 5.

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 | 12 | 1 | 11 | 4 | .. | 2½ | 4½ | .. | .. | .. | 8

NOTE.--A fine warm sunny autumn month, with precipitation 32 per cent. below the mean of previous years. Total bright sunshine, 235·1 hours, 61 per cent. of the possible, and one sunless day. Lightning was seen on the night of the 6th. Mean dew-point at 9 a.m., 52·9°; and mean vapour pressure, 0·401 in.

NOTES ON THE WEATHER FOR MARCH, 1933.

General.--March has, in the main, been a very dry, warm, and sunny month. The eastern districts of the South Island have suffered severely from the prolonged shortage of rain. The situation was rendered all the more unfavourable there owing to the prevalence of hot, dry, north-westerly winds. In the North Island conditions on the land are, on the whole, very good. Feed is abundant and stock are in good condition. This is particularly the case in Taranaki, where pasture has never before been so abundant at this time of year. The only large area reporting a definite shortage of feed is the Hauraki Plains. Though conditions are fair on the east coast, rain is wanted there. Fruit and other crops are fair to good. The white cabbage-moth has been observed in large numbers in Hawke’s Bay, and has caused some damage. In the South Island there is a serious feed and water shortage in practically all eastern districts, but especially Canterbury and Marlborough. Fruit and wheat crops appear to be fairly good, but fodder crops, such as turnips and rape, have been badly affected. Turnips have suffered, also, from depredations by the diamond-backed moth, while the grass-grub has caused considerable loss of feed in some areas.

Rainfall.--The rainfall was irregular over the North Island, those districts which receive most of their rain from the west having, in general, good falls. In the far North, also, rain was above normal in most cases. In eastern districts there was a considerable deficiency. In the South Island the totals were considerably below average everywhere except in parts of the south-west and extreme south. East of the ranges the average was considerably less than half that usually recorded in March.

Temperature.--The mean temperature was considerably above normal over the North Island, but in the South Island conditions varied, some places being warmer and some cooler than usual. There were some very warm days, particularly in Canterbury. Christchurch, for example, experienced its warmest weather for this summer, the maximum temperature exceeding 87° F. on both the 19th and the 21st. Some light frosts occurred, more especially in the South Island. The mountains are unusually clear of snow.

Sunshine.--Almost all districts experienced abundant sunshine, though Napier had rather less than usual. Nelson registered 283 hours, Blenheim 269 hours, and Lake Tekapo 255 hours.

Pressure Systems.--Depressions of the westerly type passed fairly regularly during the month, and were the principal influence controlling the weather in the South Island. There has, however, been continued activity in the tropics, as many

G