284 METEOROLOGICAL REGISTERS [PART II. 



ter, exhibits the state of the weather for one 

 year. 



In Auckland easterly gales generally occur at the 

 full and change of the moon, and continue for two 

 and sometimes three days. In the winter months 

 they sweep with great violence over the exposed 

 situation of Auckland. From the east the wind 

 veers to the westward, and soon moderates. The 

 most settled weather is with southerly winds. 



Rains are very frequent, especially in the winter 

 season. I have not the necessary data for comparing 

 the quantity of rain with that in Cook's Straits, but 

 from the scanty observations at my command I am 

 induced to believe that rains are more frequent here 

 than on other parts of the coast, which may perhaps 

 result from the little distance between the western 

 and eastern coasts. Frosts are rare in Auckland; in 

 fact, the thermometer never stood lower than 36 

 Fahrenheit. The surface of the land being com- 

 paratively level, no impediment is given to the east- 

 erly and westerly breezes ; the summer heat is there- 

 fore very moderate, and the thermometer only once 

 rose as high as 84. Many of the valleys in the 

 neighbourhood of the town, which are sheltered 

 from the gales, enjoy a mild and agreeable climate. 



Earthquakes, which are sometimes felt in other 

 parts of the island, have not been experienced in the 

 Hauraki Gulf by the European settlers, nor could I 

 learn from the natives whom I questioned on the 

 subject that there existed any tradition of their 

 having occurred in this region. 



