434 



June.— "Weather on the whole fine, but with several severe storms ; 

 average force of wind low ; and total rainfall for the colony rather lower than 

 same period in previous years. In Auckland, on the 28th, very severe gale, 

 described as a perfect hurricane, from N. and N.E. ; much damage done in 

 harbour; 1,170 miles of wind passed by in twenty-four hours. At Wellington, 

 •500 inch of rain fell in about fifteen minutes, on the 30th. 



July. — The weather throughout the colony for this month was much 

 finer than is usually the case at this season of the year, but particularly so in 

 the South Island. The rainfall was in almost every case far below the average, 

 and, with the exception of a few stormy days in the North, the winds were 

 moderate. Snow fell in Christchurch on the 8th and 24th ; and in Wellington, 

 sleet fell on the 8th. At Bealey (altitude above sea level, 2,104 feet) there 

 were five days of snow ; and on one night the minimum temperature on grass 

 fell to 2-5°. 



August. — Universally fine steady weather during this month on the East 

 and South of the colony. On the West Coast, and in the North, stormy, with 

 prevailing westerly winds. The average rainfall for the whole colony was that 

 usual for the month ; but the distribution was very unequal, being excessive 

 on the West Coast. 



September. — Prevalent westerly winds. The only marked change, which 

 appeal's to have been generally felt, was from fine to broken weather on the 

 21st (full moon) ; the fine weather having commenced at almost every station 

 with new moon on the 7th. 



October. — Month characterized by a heavy gale from S.E. of unusual 

 severity and persistence, accompanied by electrical disturbances, low tempera- 

 ture, and heavy rainfall, especially in the Wellington district. At the latter 

 station 3 '200 inches of rain fell on the 29th, in twenty-four hours. The 

 alternation of climate was very great, without any very extreme fluctuation 

 in the atmospheric pressure. 



November. — The weather for this month was unusually fine and pleasant 

 throughout New Zealand, the rainfall being considerably below the average, 

 and the winds generally moderate, except on the West Coast of Middle Island, 

 where strong S.W. winds prevailed. 



December. — The most remarkable feature in the weather for this month 

 was the occurrence of severe electrical storms, throughout almost the whole of 

 the colony, towards the middle of the month, with vivid and dangerous 

 lightning. There was also heavy rain at many of the stations at the same 

 period, but no severe gales were reported. 



James Hector, 

 Inspector of Meteorological Stations. 



