METEOROLOGICAL NOTES DURING THE TEAR 1905. 33 



The absence of frost and the showery nature of the weather 

 encouraged vegetation, which was fully a fortnight in advance of 

 ordinary seasons. Rarely have the grass fields been so bright 

 and fresh in March. 



April. — For the first few days the conditions which 

 characterised March- continued. With a change of the wind 

 to the north-west the weather got cold and frosty, and a fall of 

 snow to the depth of about three inches occurred on the 7th. 

 For fully a fortnight thereafter the weather, though frequently 

 bright, was cold, owing to the easterly winds and touches of 

 frost. On the 26th the wind again settled into the south-west, 

 and the closing days of the month were mild and showery. 



The range of the barometric readings was within one inch — 

 between 29-10 and 30-00 inches — and no specially notable 

 fluctuations in the pressure were recorded. 



The rainfall was low, as only 17 9 inch was recorded, and 

 there were fifteen dry days. This is in marked contrast with 

 April, 1904, with 4-6-1: inches and only six dry days. 



Frost, amounting to 30°, was registered on ten mornings, the 

 coldest morning being the 8th, when there were 9°. The 

 average maximum temperature was 51°, and the minimum 36°, 

 or 1° and 6° lower than those of April, 1904. 



The cold dry weather materially checked the abnormally early 

 vegetation. Many plants had their tender young growth injured 

 by the sharp frost on the 8th. Fortunately the growth of the 

 major portion of our ti'ees and shrubs was not sufliciently 

 advanced, and though checked in development they were not 

 materially injured. Towards the end of the month, with the 

 renewal of mild weather, there was a notable bursting into bloom 

 of certain varieties of rhododendron, and the variety " Jacksoni " 

 was exceptionally good. Narcissi were in bloom when the snow- 

 fall occurred, but did not suffer much from the change of tem- 

 perature. Towards the end of month Hyacinths and TuUps 

 developed rapidly. 



May. — The first week was somewhat changeable, with 

 occasional showers. Thereafter the weather got drier and 

 warmer, although some days were cold on account of the keen 

 piercing easterly winds. These conditions prevailed until the 



