Dec. 22.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 2933

Government Meteorological Observatory.

METEOROLOGICAL Observations at Kelburn, Wellington, for the Month of November, 1937. Observations taken at 9 a.m.
Altitude of Observatory, 415 ft.

Mean earth temperature at 1 ft., 60.5°; and at 3 ft., 57.6°. Number of rain days, 9. Total rainfall, 3 per cent. below normal. Sunshine, 54 per cent. of possible. Mean dew-point at 9 a.m., 50.8°; mean vapour pressure, 0.371 in.

DIRECTION OF WIND.

NOTE.—North-west gales were experienced on the 8th and 9th, and a boisterous north-west wind blew on the 19th. Light hail fell on the 19th, and thunder was heard.

NOTES ON THE WEATHER FOR NOVEMBER, 1937.

General.—In most districts November proved a favourable spring month, although the first half was extremely dry, and, following a lengthy spell of equally dry conditions, during this period there was a shortage of food in many parts of the country and the general outlook for the farming community appeared to be very serious. Between the 15th and 25th, however, beneficial rains occurred at times over the greater portion of the Dominion, and pastures and vegetation revived. In parts of South Canterbury, Otago, and Marlborough, however, the rainfall was not sufficient to relieve the situation, and in these areas food for stock is still short and many crops have been seriously affected. The North Island, on the other hand, with the exception of the Manawatu district, experienced favourable conditions, with the result that food is now plentiful. On the whole stock are in good condition, and the season has been an excellent one for the fattening of lambs.

Rainfall.—Over most of the northern half of the North Island the month's aggregate rainfall was above the average, the greatest departure being in North Auckland. The whole of the remainder of the Dominion experienced a deficit, places in the eastern and southern areas of the South Island having less than half the November average.

Temperatures.—Temperatures were everywhere above normal, the departure averaging 2° F. in both Islands. Some days were very warm, but, on the other hand, there were several nights when frosts were severe enough to cause damage to fruit trees and vegetables, more especially in the South Island.

Sunshine.—The amount of bright sunshine recorded nearly everywhere exceeded the average, the only reporting stations having a deficiency being Nelson and Waimate. Blenheim had 257.6 and Napier 251.8 hours.

Pressure Systems.—During the first week the weather was fine almost generally under the influence of a rather intense anticyclone, the centre of which moved to the east of the North Island on the 8th. By the 9th a shallow depression had advanced on to the Dominion, and fairly general, though mostly light, rains occurred during the night. Rain also fell over most of the North Island between the 11th and 14th associated with a cyclonic depression which crossed northern New Zealand on the latter day. Up to this time rainfall had not been widespread, and the South Island especially had continued to experience dry conditions.

By the 16th, however, an extensive westerly depression had moved on to New Zealand, and general beneficial rains accompanied it about this time. A series of similar depressions continued to cross the Dominion until the 19th, and strong and squally winds between north-west and south-west prevailed, with changeable conditions and rain at times in most parts of the country. Thunderstorms were also frequent during this period, particularly severe ones occurring on the 17th in the Waikato district and on the 19th in parts of Taranaki and Wellington provinces.