192 A. DUCKWORTH. 



regards the number of days per annum on which rain 

 fell, the average number over the thirty years is 161 for 

 Sydney, and 127 for Melbourne, or 44*1 wet days per 100 

 days in Sydney, and 34 # 8 wet days per 100 days in Melbourne. 

 The maximum number of wet days in Sydney was 208, in 

 1893, and 153 in Melbourne in 1887; the minimum for 

 Sydney being 112 in 1882, and for Melbourne 102 in 1898 

 and 1902. 



It would seem in this connection that we require a 

 "weighted average" rainfall, by which means we could 

 gauge the intensity of the rainfall in conjunction with its 

 duration. Further there would seem to be some reason 

 why we should depart from calendar year periods in our 

 method of recording rainfall statistics, if, as has been the 

 view of many people, it is desirable to furnish seasonal 

 forecasts such as obtain in India. A fall of rain at close 

 of, or beginning of, a year may upset two years' seasonal 

 records. Obviously the reversed seasons of Australia do 

 not correspond with the calendar year. As an old writer 

 has said: — 



" The north winds scorch, but when the breeze is 

 Full from the south, why then it freezes; 

 Now of what place can such strange tales 

 Be told with truth, but New South Wales?" 



But regarding the official figures of Sydney and Melbourne 

 as plotted out in Diagram 1, shewing annual rainfall, it 

 will be seen that in 11 years in Sydney the quantity exceeded 

 the average, whilst in 19 years it was deficient. In 

 Melbourne the rainfall was in excess during 16 years and 

 deficient in 13 years, and of the average amount in the 

 remaining year. If we were to judge solely from the amount 

 of the annual rainfall of Sydney, without reference to its 

 periodical distribution and the intensity of its precipita- 

 tion, both however, important factors, the rainfall of 

 Sydney, as contrasted with that of Melbourne, does not 



