Ocean Routes from Neiv Zealand. 141 



fertilit}^ of soil, natural wealth, and geographical situation,* 

 or hold out such excellent prospects of ultimate comfort and 

 prosperity, as New Zealand. The mean temperature of the 

 whole islands for the year is 56° Fahr., and is 5° less at the 

 south, and in the north about 4" higlier, so that, for example, 

 Auckland possesses the same temperature as Florence, Rome, 

 Marseilles, or Toulon, f Gales are frequent along the coast, 

 and the damp south winds known as ''bursters" are exceed- 

 ingly disagreeable and oppressive, but they do not on the 

 whole affect the health of tlie inhabitants. According to Dr. 

 Thomson's observations, it would seem that of every 1000 

 soldiers in the various British military stations 8 25 die in 

 New Zealand, 14 in Great Britain, 18 in Malta, 20 in 

 Canada. J 



* The most important American, Indian, and Australian markets may be reached 

 by screw steamer from Auckland as follows : — 



If the contemplated route via Panama be made available (with a coaling station at 

 Gambier Islands), some 3500 miles or 14 days' sail would be saved, so that New 

 Zealand would be reached in from 41 to 48 days, and Sydney and Melbourne in 

 about 53 and 54 days respectively. 



t According to Dr. Thomson's meteorological observations, the following are the 

 averages for the town of Auckland (36° 50' S.), temperature 59|°Fahr. ; rain-fall 45| 

 inches ; days on which rain falls 160 ; barometer 29-95 inches. 



X Not less interesting are the returns as to the number of soldiers attacked with 

 consumption and who died of it at the vai'ious garrisons, which are as follows : 



