88 Transactions.— Miscellaneous. 
conclusions from jsolated facts, but instances sometimes occur — foot- 
prints on the sand—so pregnant as to justify such a course, and I still 
believe, after long thought, that the remarkable results of the flood in 
question, which I had the opportunity of observing in the gorge of the 
Waiau-ua, are of that character. It must be remembered that whilst 
all the great observers of physical phenomena have rightly concluded 
that the changes which have taken place upon the surface of the 
earth have not been suddenly brought about, but result from the 
slow though continuous operation of natural causes, none of them 
can or do deny that there are, or have been, catastrophes or cata- 
clysms, though these are usually limited in extent at any one period, when 
compared with the whole terrestrial surface. The downfall of nearly thir- 
teen inches of rain, in the course of three days, over an area of thousands 
of square miles of steep mountain country, was unquestionably calculated 
to produce a catastrophe in the level areas through which their drainage 
passed to sea, for even the water which would thus be carried into the river 
of a valley whose drainage area did not much exceed eight square miles 
(which is about that of the Kaiwarra stream), would reach the astounding 
is about to derive its new supply of eight millions of gallons a day, for a 
period of nearly eight months. Whilst I have not hesitated in setting forth 
the views contained in this paper, I feel that they may not deserve acceptance; 
but, even then, I trust that the observations I have brought under your 
notice will not be without their use to those who take an interest in the 
history of remarkable physical occurrences. 
EXTRACTS FROM THE OFFICIAL MrTEoronocican Reports FoR Frepruary, 1868. 
art of the month, was excessive in some dis- 
tricts. A storm, which commenced on the 3rd, appears to have backed round from north, 
usual quarter was productive of the most disas- 
trous floods which have been recorded in the colony, and which devastated the eastern dis- 
tricts of the South Island. 
Taranaki—On 2nd, barometer 29°628, wind S.E.; but scud coming from E. and N.E., 
threatening rain and wind; at3 p.m. barometer falling, wind $.E. and rising, evening wild 
i i in; at 10 p.m. barometer 28°80. On 3rd, gale from S.E., with 
thunder and lightning ; about two inches of rain fell during night; wind changed to S.W., 
and violent gale blew, breaking the anemometer ; 4 maximum pressure of 18 lbs. to square 
foot was registered; barometer commenced to rise; at 4 p.m. gale continued, but veered 
back to N.W., at 9 p.m. barometer 2920. On 4th gale continued, with heavy squalls of 
rain, hail, thunder, and lightning, but moderated towards morning. It continued stormy 
up to 8th, 
