564

THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE

No. 24

NOTES ON THE WEATHER FOR MARCH 1963

General: March was a dry month in most districts until the last couple of days, when good rains brought promise of improved autumn growth. In Waikato and Bay of Plenty dairying production fell off more rapidly than usual; but in other areas the dry spell appeared to have no serious effects, and stock were mainly in good condition.

An exceptionally strong gale caused some damage on the Southland coast on the 21st.

Rainfall: Rainfall was about two-thirds of the average value over the greater part of the country. However, it was mainly above average by about 50 per cent on the West Coast and in northern districts of both Islands.

Over most of the Auckland Province and in Nelson and Marlborough half of the total for the month fell during the last two days.

Temperatures: Temperatures were up to a degree above average in the North Island and up to two degrees below average in the South Island. This was the first month since September 1961 that the country as a whole had not been warmer than average.

Sunshine: In the North Island sunshine was mainly below average, and the deficiency exceeded 30 hours in Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, and western Northland. In the South Island sunshine was mainly close to normal; but south Westland and parts of Central Otago were favoured with more than 20 hours above average.

Weather Sequence: On the 1st and 2nd a small depression crossed Southland, with rain spreading over the South Island, only light in eastern districts. During the next two days the associated trough of low pressure moved on to the North Island with rain as far north as Rotorua; while the weather cleared in the south. A belt of high pressure soon covered most of the country and the weather was fine on the 5th and 6th, apart from rain in Northland and Gisborne due to the presence of a tropical storm moving south-eastward past East Cape. During the next three days another trough brought a change to southerly winds and cooler temperatures, with light rain at times in many districts. An anticyclone brought fine weather on the 10th. During the two following days a small depression passed close to the South Island while the associated trough of low pressure crossed the country. Some rain was recorded in most districts, except in eastern areas from Ashburton to East Cape.

The period from the 13th to the 26th was one of dry weather for the greater part of the country. For the first week of this period pressures remained high over the Tasman Sea and the North Island, while depressions passed far to the south and south-east. Winds were mainly south-westerly, strong at times in the far south. In Southland and Fiordland the weather was unsettled, and the West Coast also received rain on several days. At times light rain also extended to parts of Otago and Nelson and to the Manawatu-Wanganui area. Somewhat similar conditions prevailed from the 20th to the 24th, except that, as the belt of high pressure extended further southward, there was some improvement in Southland and Fiordland. However, on the 21st unusually strong westerly gales caused some damage in Southland. During the 25th and 26th pressures remained high to the east of the North Island while a very deep depression over the Tasman Sea moved southward and the associated trough of low pressure approached the South Island. In the strong north-westerly airstream heavy rain came to the West Coast, and some light falls spread to Nelson and Southland.

On the 27th the weather also deteriorated over the greater part of the North Island as the trough of low pressure moved on to the country. The trough remained stationary from west to east over the Auckland Province for the next three days, affecting this area and also Hawke’s Bay and north Taranaki, while the weather cleared temporarily further south. On the night of the 31st rain became fairly general as a depression developed on the trough and another trough moved over the South Island. Some considerable falls were recorded in northern districts of both Islands.

J. F. GABITES, Acting Director.

(N.Z. Met. S. Misc. Pub. 107)

New Zealand Railways—Schedule of Civil Engineering and Building Contracts of £10,000 or More in Value.

A. T. GANDELL, General Manager.

Tariff Notice—Decisions on Applications for Approval of the Minister of Customs

NOTICE is hereby given that the following applications originally advertised as shown, seeking the admission at concessionary rates of duty by approval of the Minister of Customs, of the goods described hereunder, have been declined:

Dated at Wellington this 24th day of April 1963.

(Tariff Notice 1963/27)

J. F. CUMMINGS, Comptroller of Customs.

Tariff Notice—Application for Withdrawal of Approval of the Minister of Customs

NOTICE is hereby given that application has been made for the withdrawal of the following goods from current decisions of the Minister of Customs permitting entry at concessionary rates of duty, and for the future admission of such goods at the substantive rates of duty as shown:

Any person wishing to lodge an objection to the granting of this application should do so in writing on or before 16 May 1963. Submissions which should include reference to the application number, tariff item, and goods, must be addressed to the Comptroller of Customs, Private Bag, Wellington, and should be supported by information as to:

(a) The quality, range, supply, etc., of the above described goods produced in New Zealand, and

(b) The landed cost and selling price, including c.d.v., and cost into store in terms of f.o.b., insurance, freight, exchange, other landing charges, duty, etc., of equivalent goods of overseas origin.

Dated at Wellington this 24th day of April 1963.

(Tariff Notice No. 1963/28)

J. F. CUMMINGS, Comptroller of Customs.