Dec. 7.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 3207

Government Meteorological Observations.

METEOROLOGICAL Observations at Kelburn, Wellington, for the Month of September, 1933. Observations taken at 9 a.m.

Altitude of Observatory, 415 ft.

Mean earth temperature at 1 ft., 50·8°; and at 3 ft., 50·7°. Number of rain days, 14.

DIRECTION OF WIND.

NOTE.—A fine spring month, with rainfall 5 per cent. below mean of previous years. Total bright sunshine, 192·1 hours, 54 per cent. of the possible, and four sunless days. With the exception of a gale that blew on the 19th and 20th the strength of the wind was below the average. Frost was recorded on the grass on the morning of the 6th. Mean dew-point at 9 a.m., 43·4°; and mean vapour pressure, 0·281 in.

NOTES ON THE WEATHER FOR SEPTEMBER, 1933.

General.—Another very good spring month was experienced in September. Reports generally indicate that the season so far has been the best for many years. Feed is rather scarce in eastern parts of the South Island and parts of the Gisborne district, but the shortage is not acute, and elsewhere there has been ample growth. Mild temperatures and an absence of strong winds have been important factors contributing to these favourable conditions. Stock are doing very well. It has been an excellent lambing season, and in parts of the North Island the dairy yields have been the highest hitherto recorded till this time of year. Crops, also, are making a good start, and the spring has been an early one for vegetation. Nevertheless, the total rainfall was below the average in most districts to a serious degree. The subsoil, especially in the South Island, is dry, and heavy rains will be needed during the coming months if the present highly satisfactory condition is to be maintained.

Rainfall.—Rainfall was above normal from Auckland northwards, in the Wanganui and Manawatu districts, and in the extreme South. Elsewhere, however, not more than half the average was recorded. For much the greater part of the country the accumulated deficit since the beginning of the year is assuming large proportions.

Temperature.—The month was, on the whole, a mild one, with few frosts. In eastern districts and the Bay of Plenty the mean temperatures were rather below average at many places, but in the interior and western districts the reverse was distinctly the case. During the last week or so there was a prevalence of cold southerly winds, and growth of vegetation was retarded, especially in the North Island. A frost on the 27th did some damage in the Bay of Plenty area.

Sunshine.—Sunshine appears to have been above normal almost everywhere. Of the records to hand, Napier’s is the only one in which such is not the case. At Lake Tekapo a total of 227·5 hours was experienced.

Storm Systems.—There were few storms of much consequence during the month. The first was due to a depression of the westerly type, which passed between the 2nd and the 4th. Widespread rains were caused, but in general they were not heavy.

On the 7th a rather complex depression advanced across the Tasman Sea. A cyclone centre developed in the northern portion of this, and, passing just north of New Zealand on the 10th, was followed by a secondary on the 11th. During this period strong north-easterly winds were experienced. In the Auckland Province, especially, strong gales occurred at many places. A considerable amount of damage was done and shipping was delayed. The rain was confined principally to northern and north-eastern districts during the north-easterly blow, but before the whole storm system had passed on the 13th it had been almost general. Some flooding occurred in North Auckland and in the Thames and Waihou Rivers.

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