Oct. 24] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE 1639

CLIMATOLOGICAL TABLE—continued

Summary of the Records of Temperature, Rainfall, and Sunshine for September, 1946—continued

LATE RETURNS

Appleby, Nelson, Aug., 1946 | Ft. 57 | °F. 54·5 | °F. 38·1 | °F. 46·3 | —0·2 | °F. 59·0 | 4 | °F. 32·3 | 29 | In. 3·10 | 18 | (—0·07) | In. 0·75 | 12 | ..
Akaroa (Onawe, Duvau-chelle’s Bay), July, 1946 | 150 | 52·3 | 39·6 | 46·0 | (+1·0) | 62·5 | 12 | 34·0 | 21 | 2·47 | 13 | (—3·45) | 0·68 | 23 | 93·8
Akaroa (Onawe, Duvau-chelle’s Bay), Aug., 1946 | 150 | 53·2 | 39·9 | 46·6 | (+0·2) | 61·0 | 12, 23 | 34·0 | 22 | 3·32 | 17 | (—1·28) | 0·98 | 27 | 122·2
Milford Sound, July, 1946 | 20 | 48·6 | 35·5 | 42·0 | (+0·6) | 55·0 | 16, 22 | 26·8 | 1 | 22·76 | 22 | (+10·37) | 4·45 | 12 | ..
Milford Sound, Aug., 1946 | 20 | 48·1 | 34·8 | 41·4 | (—2·9) | 56·0 | 27 | 29·2 | 30, 31 | 32·64 | 23 | (+16·80) | 4·98 | 12 | ..

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 SEPTEMBER, 1946

General.—The weather during September was very varied. Apart from a wintry spell late in the month, no general abnormalities were in evidence. For the dairying districts conditions have been very favourable, except that there has been rather too much rain for calves. An exceptionally good season for sheep is being experienced on the east coast of the North Island. A prolonged rain within the cold period towards the end of the month coming at the height of the lambing season was responsible for some serious losses in Canterbury and Otago. This change to cooler conditions checked growth in most places. The frequency of rain has delayed agricultural activities.

Rainfall.—Rainfall was above normal in the Auckland District; the largest excess occurring in the Bay of Plenty region. Hawke’s Bay, on the other hand, received only half its usual total. Most places between Christchurch and Balclutha had at least double their normal, and near Oamaru totals were more than four times the average. These were largely the result of the flood-producing rains of the 23rd and 24th when, for example, Appin, Dunback, received 5·68 in. and 3·16 in. respectively.

For the remainder of the country the rainfall was not very different from normal.

Temperatures.—Over the southern half of the South Island mean temperatures were very slightly below normal, while elsewhere the departures were about 1° F. above the normal. During the last three days there was snow in several localities, including the central high country of the North Island and the foothills of Canterbury. The frosts which followed caused damage in many orchards.

Sunshine.—The totals of the duration of bright sunshine were nowhere very significantly different from the normals.

Weather Sequence.—A depression west of Auckland on the 1st and 2nd brought rain to most of the North Island, heaviest falls being in the central portion. Thereafter the disturbances travelled away to the north-east, and a high-pressure ridge which had been across southern New Zealand spread over the country, giving fine weather almost generally.

On the 7th the first cold front associated with a series of westerly depressions passed the South Island, a very weak one followed on the 9th, and a further cold front on the 11th was slightly more active, having some affect over the North Island. Westerly or north-westerly winds were strong at times, and occasional moderate rains were experienced in western districts of the South Island.

North-westerly winds prevailed generally on the 13th and 14th and reached gale force in central and southern districts. Heavy rain occurred in the Alps on the 13th. A depression formed on a cold front on the 15th and passed to the east of Canterbury. Winds turned southerly and rain occurred in all districts and was heavy in places with some thunder, but conditions soon improved. A weak front on the 17th affected only south-western districts. A depression was passing to the north on the 18th, and after the passage of a cold front there was a brief southerly change with a few showers. Although weak troughs continued to pass in the south fine weather predominated during the 19th and 20th.

An anticyclone in the north was passing eastward, and north-westerlies strengthened as a deep depression moved south-eastward over Otago, the associated cold front travelling eastward across the North Island on the 22nd. Except east of the ranges, moderate rains were experienced. Another depression from the Tasman deepened and its centre passed through Cook Strait early on the 24th. General heavy rain spread from the north, causing slips in the King-country. Westerlies were strong in the north, while south of Christchurch easterlies reached gale force in places and veered southerly. Flooding resulted in parts of Canterbury, Otago, and Southland, the depression moving only slowly eastward. However, conditions were much improved on the 26th.

Weak disturbances kept the weather rather unsettled on the 27th. A cold front moved slowly northward, and an anticyclone located to the south gradually intensified. Temperatures became much colder, with some snow in South Canterbury and Otago and later in the central high country of the North Island. Eastern districts experienced occasional rain, but conditions improved from the west and south. At the end of the month a depression was approaching from the Tasman.

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, 14TH OCTOBER, 1946

*Expressed in New Zealand currency.

Proportion of reserve (No. 7 less No. 5) to notes and other demand liabilities, 72·148 per cent.

W. R. EGGERS, Chief Accountant.