42 "The Climate of New Zealand. 
14. The North Otago dıstrict. 
This district is the dryest in the region. In summer, the days are frequently 
hot, but the nights chilly, except when the N. W. foehn blows. In winter, 
the nights are generally frosty, but snow rarely lies beyond a day or two except 
above the subalpine beit. Exaggerated reports of temperatures are period- 
ically received from the interior of this district, but are discounted by the 
resence of introduced plants which can tolerate but little frost. The average 
rainfall for the district is 45 cm. Alexandra South, in the dryest part, had a 
rainfall of 24 cm on 66 days in ı906 and a maximum of 35 cm on 67 days 
in 1900. Judging from the vegetation, the. rainfall increases considerably from 
the lower limit of the subalpine belt upwards, but even there it is less than 
on the dry mountains of New Zealand in general. 
15. The South Otago district. 
Owing to the frequency of cold rain-bearing S. W. winds with cloudy sky 
and the comparatively low summer temperature, the climate of this area ap- 
proximates more to the subantarctic type than that of any other of the main- 
land botanical divisions, except the Fiord district. At the same time, it must 
be pointed out that there is much bright sunshine and cloudless sky, as in 
New Zealand generally. The N. W. wind is dry, its moisture having been lost 
in passing over the Fiord district. High winds are frequent and at times sweep 
over the open Southland plain with fury. Much of the district is moun- 
tainous with winter snow of comparatively long duration. Snow at sea-level 
too is not uncommon, but frosts at that altitude are less severe than on the 
coast of the Eastern district. The mean temperature is ı0° and the mean 
maximum and minimum respectively 15.3° and 4.6°. The average rainfall is 
ı17 cm which is distributed as follows: — Tone 26. 3 pP. c.; summer 24.6 p. ©; 
ae c 
16. The Stewart dis. 
and a minimum of 223 cm. The climate is,  remarkably mild, 
2 almost absent on the E. coast, while snow is. s generally confined to ie moun- 
parts of the a "The rainfall of the E. for 10 years averages 161 cm 
a its. air is as ee Br summer 225 B- c. 
u 
5 
