
METEOROLOGICAL NOTES DURING THE YEAR 1898. 333 
The directions of the wind for the year were as follows :— 
From the S. W., 219; W., 56; N. E., 20; E., 2 days respectively. 
Excluding the direct North and South, the Western group shows 
283 and the Eastern 59 times. In 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 January, 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 effects 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, 
