COASTAL WINDS AND THEIR INFLUENCE UPON FISH. 41 



The separation of the period into two halves of very differ- 

 ent character, suggests also the existence of an extended 

 cycle or wave of which the twenty-four years under review 

 form but a portion. The deviation in the yearly winds are 

 seen to fluctuate within periods of a few years; distinct 

 depressions in the curve (easterly deviation) occurred in 

 1895-6, in 1900-1, and in 1905. The intervening maxima 

 (westerly deviation) occurred in 1897-99, in 1902, and in 

 1906. Here we have a direct measure of the disturbing 

 influence of each year's winds upon the normal ocean 

 currents touching the east coast of Australia, more par- 

 ticularly of New South Wales, and its application is very 

 interesting. (Diagram G). 



From certain ocean charts it will be seen that in the 

 central Pacific, about 8 to 10 degrees south, there is a 

 surface current flowing parallel to the Equator in a westerly 

 direction. On approaching the archipelago fronting the 

 south-east coast of Asia a main, arm of the current is 

 directed south-westerly; it passes the Fiji and Norfolk 

 Islands and is deflected still more southerly on meeting the 

 Australian continent about the latitude of Moreton Bay; 

 from here it follows the coast of New South Wales and 

 Tasmania, where on meeting an easterly current from the 

 Australian Eight, it turns east and north-east to the coasts 

 of New Zealand. 



From continued temperature observations I have had 

 taken on board fast going steamers running between Sydney 

 and New Zealand ports, it appears that the centre of the 

 warm current is normally situated somewhere within 100 

 to 150 miles off the New South Wales coastline in the lati- 

 tude of Sydney; its western border brushes along the head- 

 lands and is known to coasting crafts and line fishermen. 

 Having its origin in conditions prevailing elsewhere, this 

 current would during calm weather assert itself in its 



