Meteorological Committee, 1901. 3 
consider that an average of 100 years is not long enough ; 
but still, with all its disadvantages, a 10 years’ average affords 
a certain guide with which to compare an individual year, more 
especially when the stations are practically the same. On these 
lines Table A has been framed. The stations have been arranged 
in order of deficiency irrespective of height above sea-level, and, 
where two or more stations have the same amount of deficiency, 
in alphabetical order. The table is well worth very careful study, 
but it appears to your Committee that, in looking over it, careful 
reference should be made to Appendix IL., “ Falls of 1 in. and 
upwards.” ‘The differences in the deficiency of rainfall are very 
large. In a district of about four hundred square miles we have 
between the greatest and least no less than 6°30 inches. Why 
there should be this great difference is inexplicable with our 
present knowledge, seeing that both stations are compared with 
their own 10 years’ averages. As showing the differences 
between long and short averages, your Committee desire to 
mention that, with respect to Greenwich, if the year 1901 is 
compared with the 85 years’ average (1816-1900), thé deficiency 
is 4:46 in., but if with the 10 years’ average (1891-1900), the 
deficiency is only 1:90 in. Again, take Surbiton: if the year 
1901 is compared with the 45 years’ average (1856-1900), the 
deficierfcy is 6:58 in., but if with the 10 years’ average (1891-1900) 
it is 5°10 in. 
With respect to the average rainfall of the different months, 
the monthly notes give all the particulars, but the Committee 
wish particularly to refer to the months of November and 
December, in which months we have the smallest and greatest 
rainfall in the respective months for many years past. Itisa 
very rare occurrence to have two months so exactly opposite to 
one another following one another in succession. 
The greatest daily rainfall was at Harp’s Oak Cottage, on 
October 1st, and this was the only one over 2:00 inches. The 
- number of days in which 1 inch or more fell in the district was 
eleven, a number which is nearly double of the number of last 
year. 
In conclusion, the Committee desire to tender their thanks to 
those who have helped the Society by their donations to this 
great work, which is yearly becoming of greater value to the 
Society, and also to the district served by it. 
