Notes on the Weather during 1874. 



January. — Kemarkably dry weather throughout, rainfall considerably 

 below the average; usually a high atmospheric pressure and temperature; 

 winds prevailed from W., and on the whole light ; a severe storm, however, 

 passed over the northern part of province of Canterbury on 11th, doing 

 considerable damage ; it was not severely felt at Christchurch. Earthquakes 

 occurred on 21st at Tauranga, four shocks between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., rather 

 strong ; and on 23rd two shocks at 5 p.m. ; also four smart shocks on 24th, 

 between 6 and 8 a.m.; at Napier on the 29th, 9.15 p.m., smart. Brilliant 

 meteor observed on 13th in north ; aurora in south, on 18th. 



February. — The temperature throughout is about the average for this 

 month, but the rainfall is considerably less. With the exception of the 

 severe S.E. and N.E. gale which occurred in Auckland on 7th and 8th, the 

 winds have been moderate. Earthquakes reported on the 1st at Dunedin and 

 Queenstown, slight ; also on the 4th two distinct shocks at Dunedin, and on 

 2nd slight shocks at Kiverton and Bluff, at night ; on the 8th, rather a severe 

 shock at Biverton ; on 28th, at 3 am., a severe shock was felt at Lyttelton 

 and Tauranga. 



March. — The weather was wet throughout, at the same time very mild 

 and temperate for the time of year, and no gales of any violence have 

 occurred. Earthquakes were reported as having been felt at the following 

 places : — At Wellington and Masterton, on 1st, at 12.10 p.m., slight, and at 

 the former place on 17th, at 11.30 a.m., slight; at Wanganui, on 4th, at 

 midnight, and on 9th, same time, sharp ; at Tarawera, on 7th at 10.27 a.m., 

 slight ; at Taranaki, on 9th, at midnight, slight ; Eoxton and Patea, on 9th, 

 at midnight, slight; also at Eoxton, slight shock on night of 11th; at 

 Christchurch, Lyttelton, and Akaroa, on 25th, at 12.3 a.m., a prolonged shake. 

 Meteors observed at Dunedin on 13th, and at Queenstown on 21st. 



April. — The most remarkable feature in the weather during this month 

 was the unusually small rainfall at all the stations in the colony, except those 

 on the west coast of the South Island, at Bealey, and in the extreme south, 

 where the rain was excessive. At most of the stations the weather was 

 exceedingly fine and pleasant ; slight shock of earthquake reported at Mana 

 Lighthouse on the 24th, at 11 p.m. Meteor observed at Wanganui on 1st, at 

 7.30 p.m. 



