138
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE
No. 4

WEATHER NOTES FOR NOVEMBER 1978

General—Pressures were appreciably above normal over the whole of New Zealand during November. Winds were mainly westerly, stronger in the south than in the north of the country. On the 26th winds gusting to 48 knots closed Invercargill Airport and caused damage to power lines, wrecked hay barns and blew in windows in the city.

Conditions were dry and sunny along the east coasts of both the North and South Islands with temperatures slightly above normal in most areas. This was the first time for 6 months that Canterbury and Otago have had below normal rainfall. Grass growth was reported to be poor in the northern half of the North Island, with ground conditions becoming extremely dry. In other areas the rainfall during the middle of the month improved growth but more rain was needed. Stock in most districts was in good condition but dairy production was down compared with previous years.

Rainfall—Rainfall was below normal over most of New Zealand apart from some districts in the North Island which had heavy falls from the 11th to 13th. Parts of Northland and Poverty Bay were below normal by 75 percent, and many areas along the east coast by more than 50 percent. In central districts of the North Island many stations reported monthly totals of between 50 and 100 percent above normal.

On the 12th a state of civil emergency was declared at Ohura (King Country), when the Mangaroa River burst its banks after heavy rainfall. It was reported that the river rose to 6 metres above normal and there was floodwater to a depth of 1½ metres throughout the town. Many homes were evacuated and stock was moved to higher ground in low lying farmland north of Ohura. Surface flooding closed the main highway from Turangi to Taupo and railway lines north of Ohura were damaged by slips. At Taumarunui more than 84 mm of rain were recorded in 24 hours on the 11th, and 129 mm from midnight on the 10th to midnight on the 12th. At Uruti nearly 270 mm were recorded in the 3 days from 9 a.m. on the 10th to 9 a.m. on the 13th. Many stations throughout the area recorded between 150 and 250 mm in this period.

Temperatures—Temperatures were above or near normal over the whole of New Zealand. In most districts of the North Island they were above by nearly ½°C and in the South Island by a greater margin. In parts of Otago they were above normal by more than 1°C. There were two warm spells during the month; from the 19th to 24th and 27th to 30th. On the 20th Dunedin Airport recorded a maximum temperature of nearly 30°C. At Christchurch Airport 31°C was recorded on the 28th, and this is the highest measured there in November since 1957.

Sunshine—Sunshine was above normal in most areas of the country. Kaitaia had 40 hours more sunshine than usual, and Kelburn (Wellington) nearly 50. Other areas had between 10 and 25 hours more sunshine than normal.

WEATHER SEQUENCE NOVEMBER 1978

The anticyclone that was centred over New Zealand at the end of October began to move slowly east, and a cold front moved onto the South Island early on the 1st but weakened as it moved northwards across the country. Heavy rain was recorded in Fiordland and parts of Westland, with light to moderate falls over most of the South Island and parts of the North Island. A small depression formed in the Tasman Sea on the 3rd and began to move towards Northland. By the 4th this depression had dissipated and a weak cold front associated with it moved quickly across the North Island bringing showers to Northland and Auckland. Temperatures were colder than normal throughout New Zealand at the beginning of the month.

On the 5th an anticyclone moved onto New Zealand from the Tasman Sea and this persisted until the afternoon of the 9th. Isolated showers were reported in some areas during this period but the weather was mainly fine over the whole country with temperatures about average. By the evening of the 9th a cold front associated with a depression passing to the south of the country moved onto the South Island. As this front moved eastwards the anticyclone weakened and also moved east away from the country. Heavy rain was reported west of the main ranges as this front crossed the country. On the 10th a complex trough of low pressure moved slowly across New Zealand, and early on the 11th a complex low pressure area with three centres developed in the Tasman Sea. As this system moved slowly east across the country very heavy rain was recorded in northern and western areas of the North Island. Falls of between 50 and 100 mm were recorded in the 24 hours to 9 a.m. on the 13th in central districts of the North Island. Moderate falls were reported over most of the northern half of the South Island during this period.

A cold front associated with a deep depression to the south of New Zealand moved onto the South Island early on the 14th, and this brought heavy rain to the West Coast and light to moderate falls to the rest of the country as it moved northwards. Parts of Fiordland and Southland recorded more than 80 mm in 24 hours. A strong westerly airflow covered the country on the 15th and 16th and minor disturbances in this flow brought showers to some areas west of the main ranges.

From the 17th to 20th an anticyclone was centred over New Zealand. Temperatures were very warm in Otago and Southland on the 19th and 20th, and warmer than usual over most of the country. Only a few isolated showers were reported in both Islands throughout this period. A depression formed on a cold front in the Tasman Sea and by the 21st was moving southeast towards Campbell Island. The cold front associated with this depression moved onto Fiordland early on the 21st. Heavy rain was recorded along the West Coast, with falls of more than 100 mm in 24 hours being reported. The anticyclone had moved eastwards by the 22nd, and a trough of low pressure moved quickly east from the Tasman Sea onto the country. Most areas west of the main ranges had some rain, the heaviest falls being in Fiordland and Westland.

Late on the 25th an anticyclone had become established over the whole of New Zealand and this persisted until the end of the month. Small disturbances in a westerly flow onto the South Island did bring some showers, but most of the country had fine weather. Temperatures were very warm in Wairarapa, Canterbury and Otago on the 28th, but slightly below normal at the end of the month.

J. S. HICKMAN, Director.

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

BANKRUPTCY NOTICES

In Bankruptcy

JOHN AUGUSTUS RAPANA, formerly of 339 Huia Road, Titirangi, now of 28 George Street, Hikurangi, foreman, was adjudged bankrupt on 13 December 1978. Creditors meeting will be held at the Courthouse, Bank Street, Whangarei, on Thursday, 18 January 1979, at 2.15 p.m.

F. P. EVANS, Official Assignee.

Auckland.

In Bankruptcy

JACK ALBERT RICHARDSON WHITE, 56 Metcalfe Road, Ranui, Auckland 8, was adjudged bankrupt on 13 December 1978. Creditors meeting will be held at my office, Third Floor, Fergusson Building, 295 Queen Street, Auckland, on Monday, 15 January 1979, at 10.30 a.m.

F. P. EVANS, Official Assignee.

Auckland.

In Bankruptcy

In the matter of TOM WANOA, a bankrupt. Creditors meeting will be held at Gisborne Courthouse, on Thursday, 1 February 1979, at 10.30 a.m.

A. DIBLEY, Official Assignee.

First Floor, Charles Heaphy Building, Anglesea Street, Hamilton.

In Bankruptcy

Notice is hereby given that the following dividends are now payable at my office on all accepted proved claims in the estates listed below:

Hall, George Sydney Tukua, of 55 Whittaker Road, Rotorua, labourer; a first dividend of 40 cents in the dollar.

Fisher, Keith, of 62 Makomako Street, Frankton, Hamilton, shunter; a first and final dividend of 13.724244 cents in the dollar.

A. DIBLEY, Official Assignee.

First Floor, Charles Heaphy Building, Anglesea Street, Hamilton.