METEOROLOGICAL NOTES DURING THE YEAR 1898. 333 



The directions of the wind for the vear were as follows : — 

 From the S. W., 219; AV., 56; N. E., 20; E., 2 days respectively. 

 Excluding the direct North and South, the Western group shows 

 283 and the Eastern 59 times, Tn 1897 the Western had 192 

 and the Eastern group 108. 



Though severe gales were of frequent occurrence, especially 

 during the last quarter of the year, none were of an outstanding 

 destructive nature, in comparison with some experienced in 

 recent years. 



With reference to the atmospheric pressure, the range, as 

 shown by the barometer records, has been more even than those 

 of the two preceding years, and no extreme point has been 

 touched. During the year the pressure was 51 times at or 

 above 30 inches, 307 times below 30 and at or above 29 

 inches, and seven times below that point. The highest reading 

 was on the 23rd Januarv, when the barometer indicated 30-30 

 inches ; and the lowest was on 28th December, -when the pres- 

 sure fell to 28*30 inches. In 1897 the highest reading was 

 30*40 inches on 30th December, and the lowest, 28*30 on the 

 5th March, with 73 times above 30 inches and 16 times 

 below 29 inches. 



In summarising the foregoing notes it may be observed that 

 there were many points of resemblance in the weather conditions 

 with those which were experienced in the two preceding years, 

 notably the comparatively open, mild winter, with a copious 

 rainfall and frequent south-westerly gales. The earlier months 

 of the year were characterised by an abnormally low rainfall, 

 but the deficiency was more than compensated for by the rainfall 

 of the latter five months, seeing that the amount which fell is 

 above the average for the preceding twelve years. 



The ill efiects of a succession of mild open winters and com- 

 paratively sunless summers, with heavy rains in autumn, are at 

 first sight not very apparent on vegetation. When, however, 

 certain subjects are regularly noted in regard to the various stages 

 of their annual development, there are many interesting features 

 shown, which point to the fact that seasons of that character 

 are not the best for hardy plant life. A moderately hard 

 winter with a clear and bracing atmosphere, followed by a summer 

 of bright sunshine, with a good supply of rain in the autumn months. 



