1462

THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE

[No. 72

CLIMATOLOGICAL TABLE—continued
Summary of the Records of Temperature, Rainfall, and Sunshine for October, 1945—continued

Air Temperatures In Degrees (Fahrenheit).

LATE RETURNS

Rotorua, Sept., 1945 ..
Chateau Tongariro, Sept., 1945
Akaroa (Onawe, Duvau-chelle's Bay), Sept., 1945
East Gore, Sept., 1945..

Ft.
931
3,670
150
245

°F.
58·8
45·5
58·6
57·7

°F.
42·6
28·8
43·0
36·7

°F.
50·7
37·2
50·8
47·2

°F.
65·4
54·0
72·2
68·0

°F.
29·7
16·0
32·5
27·0

In.
6·11
9·85
2·01
1·60

19
17
13
22,29, 30

5
27
4
5, 20

+2·32
17
2·01
12

In.
1·60
1·90
0·77
0·44

15
17
12
11

17
10
9
21

.. ..
.. ..
.. ..
.. ..

143·2
142·5

NOTE.—At stations where departures from normal are in parentheses the record has been maintained for less than ten years in the case of temperatures and for less than twenty years in the case of rainfall and the normals are partly interpolated.

NOTES ON THE WEATHER FOR OCTOBER, 1945
General. The weather in October was unsettled with exceptionally cold temperatures, conditions being very little milder than in September. Consequently, the season is very backward and all growth is slow. Feed is rather short, and few paddocks have been closed for hay and ensilage. Stock, and especially lambs, have not progressed as well as usual.

Rainfall. Rainfall was below average over most of the Auckland and Hawke's Bay Provinces, especially in the more eastern portions. South of Kawhia and throughout Taranaki and Wellington Provinces there was excess rain, most marked between the Mokau River and Ohakune, largely as the result of the heavy flood-producing rains towards the end of the month. For example, Ohura on the 27th, 28th, and 29th recorded 2·76, 8·15, and 2·35 in. respectively. Surplus rain occurred in western Nelson and from Kaikoura to Ashburton. In most other South Island districts rainfall was a little below the average amount.

Temperatures. Mean temperatures were about two degrees below normal in the North Island and often three to four degrees in the south, where new records were established. The previous coldest October was in 1930, but probably for the country as a whole and certainly for the South Island 1945 becomes the coldest since reliable records have been available. Considerable snow fell in the high country. Several lower levels in Nelson, Canterbury, and Southland had falls on the 1st and 2nd. Fairly extensive falls occurred in Canterbury, Otago, and Southland on the 19th or 20th. Frosts during the latter cold spell damaged gardens and orchards.

Sunshine. Sunshine was erratic, but, for example, Auckland, Waihi, New Plymouth, Napier, Christchurch, and Timaru were slightly better than normal, while Wellington, Nelson, Hanmer, and Methven had totals deficient by twenty hours or more.

Weather Sequence. A cold front advancing on the 1st brought a south-westerly change with rain and snow in the South Island, but it soon cleared in the southern portion. Widespread rain occurred in the central provinces on the 2nd and 3rd, a deepening depression passing eastward from the area on the latter day. To the north, westerlies which increased to gale strength were accompanied by numerous showers.

Another vigorous cold front moved over New Zealand on the 4th and 5th and gave very showery conditions, including snow on the high country and to some lower levels, especially in Canterbury. A high-pressure wedge was passing over the South Island on the 6th when frosts were widespread.

A weak trough passed from the west on the 6th and 7th, with a few brief showers chiefly in the west, but fair weather predominated. On the 8th another weak trough moved up the South Island, but retreated temporarily and then became indefinite over the North Island on the 10th. The chief feature was the anticyclone to the north, and fair westerly weather prevailed.

With the high-pressure region located to the east on the 11th winds tended more northerly, and cloud increased. A weak trough travelling eastward gave patches of rain in the South Island on the 11th and in the North Island on the 12th. A moderate cold front advanced over the South Island on the 13th, but soon weakened. A secondary the next day brought colder temperatures and a few showers to eastern districts. This was followed by a high-pressure wedge and fair weather.

A cold front associated with a depression far to the south passed eastward on the 17th and gave only a brief south-westerly change with few showers. A vigorous secondary began to cross New Zealand late on the 18th, and strong south-westerlies became general, accompanied by showers including some hail. Snow fell on the foothills of both islands. A deep depression remained just east of Chatham Islands and southerlies persisted, the weather being mostly fine in the west, but showers continued east of the North Island ranges until the 22nd. It was settled generally by the 23rd.

An anticyclone remained over the Northern Tasman Sea, and on the 25th a weak disturbance in the south gave light rains in southern districts, where it then improved. Scattered falls extended to western districts as a cold front moved northward. The frontal zone retreated over the southern portion of the North Island on the 28th and intensified, and was associated with a band of increasing rainfall. A depression which developed south of Cook Strait moved rapidly towards Chatham Islands. Strong westerlies prevailed over the North Island, and rain was heavy in and west of the central and southern high country. The frontal zone lingered near the centre of the Island and a deep depression approached Nelson, but filled up on the 30th as it passed north-eastward over the North Island, where further rain fell. There was flooding in Taranaki and northern Wellington. Conditions improved by the 31st when, however, an advancing trough was bringing showers to western and southern districts.

M. A. F. BARNETT, Director.

RESERVE BANK OF NEW ZEALAND
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES OF THE RESERVE BANK OF NEW ZEALAND AS AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON MONDAY,
12TH NOVEMBER, 1945

Liabilities

Assets

• Expressed in New Zealand currency.
  Proportion of reserve (No. 7 less No. 5) to notes and other demand liabilities, 71·947 per cent.
  W. R. EGGERS, Chief Accountant.