METEOROLOGICAL NOTES DURING THE YEAR 1900. 203 



The genial -warmth and frequent showers of the month gave an 

 impetus to vegetation, and there was a strong growth on trees 

 and shrubs, as well as a superabundance on grass lawns. Newly- 

 planted stuff made an excellent start and rapid progress, whilst 

 there was a development and freshness of foliage on the trees in 

 our City Parks above the usual average. The hawthorns came 

 into bloom during the first week, but they, like the rhododendrons, 

 were much below the average in floriferousness. 



July. — The first days of the month were somewhat dull and 

 changeable, and on the 3rd rain, accompanied by thunder, was 

 experienced. For the succeeding fortnight the weather was more 

 settled, but with occasional showers. On the 12th the weather 

 was again broken, and the outlook for the holiday-makers was not 

 particularly bright. With a heavy rainfall on the night of the 

 16th the atmospheric conditions improved, and continued generallv 

 fine till the close. 



The rainfall of the month (3 '03 inches) was moderate, and 

 there were 11 dry days. 



The thermometer in the shade was at or above 70° on nine 

 occasions, and the average maximum and minimum temperatures 

 were 67° and 54* respectively, while in 1899 these figures were 

 68° and 53°. 



On the 1st the barometer indicated the atmospheric pressure at 

 29-20 inches, being the lowest of the month ; for the succeeding 

 few days it rose sharply, and on the 7th and 8th the reading was 

 SO'OO inches, and continued steady at about 29-80 inches through 

 the rest of the month. 



With a fair amount of moisture during the month vegetation 

 made good progress, though bedding plants, owing to the want of 

 bright sunshine, did not make so good a show of bloom as 

 formerly, but the foliage on plants and trees bore a fine dark, 

 green appearance. 



August. — August opened with a day of rain and strong wind, 

 and the first week of the month was showery. On the 6th rain 

 fell in torrents, and a thunderstorm passed over the city. The 

 amount of rain registered for these twenty-four hours was 1-17 

 inches. On the 13th the thermometer began to rise considerably, 



