116 AMERICAN LUMBER IN FOREIGN MARKETS. 



CLIMATE. 



Meteorological observations have been made ever since the founding 

 of the colony at first of an irregular character, and made only with a 

 view of comparing the climate of New Zealand with that of other 

 countries. It was not, however, until 1859 that systematic observations 

 were undertaken by a Government department. There are over 60 

 stations at which rainfall and weather are recorded. 



Temperature. The climate in many respects, it is said, resembles that 

 of Great Britain. It is, however, far more equable, the extremes of 

 daily temperature varying throughout the year by an average of 20 

 only, while London is 7 colder than the North Island of New Zealand, 

 and 4 colder than the Middle Island. The mean annual temperature 

 of the North Island is 57 F., and of the Middle or South Island 52 

 F., that of London and New York, it is said, being 51. 



The mean annual temperature of the different seasons for the whole 

 colony is: In spring, 55; in summer, 63 ; in autumn, 57, and in 

 winter, 48. The following are the means for the two warmest and the 

 two coldest months in the principal localities, with their differences 

 (Fahrenheit) : 



Auckland, 69.6 and 53.1 ; Nelson, 63.6 and 45.9; New Plymouth, 64.7 

 and 49.03; Christchurch, 65.2 and 44.3; Wellington, 64.6 and 47.8; 

 Dunedin, 58.0 and 43.2. 



The average difference between the mean temperature of the warmest 

 and coldest months for New Zealand is 17. 



The climate on the west coast is more equable than on the east, the 

 difference between the average summer and winter temperatures in the 

 northwest portion of the North Island being nearly 4 less than in the 

 southeast, while as between the corresponding portions of the South 

 Island the difference is about 7. This is due to the action of the 

 equatorial winds, which impinge on the west coast. The extent of 

 their influence can be better appreciated by comparing the annual 

 fluctuations of temperature on the opposite seaboards of the Middle 

 Island. At Christchurch, on the east, the range is greater by 7 than 

 at certain points on the west. 



The following official tables show the averages which have been 

 ascertained in respect of the temperature of the climate of New Zea- 

 land: 



