232 H. C. RUSSELL. 



each month. In October 1896 the number was small, it increased 

 in November and December, fell off in January 1897, increased 

 in February, fell off again to another minimum in March, when 

 only four were received. In May, June, July and August there 

 were many current papers, ranging from seven to ten in the 

 month. In September the number again fell away and only three 

 were received, October brought an increase, and November nine 

 papers, again they fell off with the north-west winds. May 1898 

 brought ten papers, and in June, July, and August we had many 

 papers. In September they again fell off with north-west winds. 

 The foregoing tabular statement shews this more in detail. 



It is of course impossible to see which way these papers cross 

 the sea, and it has been pointed out before that the line given is 

 the shortest way convenient for the draftsman, and the speed is 

 calculated along that line. As the ocean current south of Lat. 30° 

 sets nearly due east, and the average direction of the papers is 

 east-north-east, there can, I think, be no question that they are 

 carried northward by the prevalent winds, and if the winds came 

 from north-west they are carried away from the coast instead of 

 towards it. Hence the receipt of current papers decreases with 

 north-west winds. 



I have been often asked, what percentage of the papers thrown 

 over come back to me 1 At present it is impossible to give a 

 definite answer to that question, for several reasons : first, although 

 I know how many papers I send out, I do not get any return of 

 the number set afloat ; and second, probably some vessels do not 

 set any afloat. It is obvious therefore, that no definite answer 

 can be given to the question. 



There is a good prospect for any paper reaching the coasts of 

 Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, or New South 

 Wales, and the North Island of New Zealand, coming back to 

 me, but very little for one landing on the west of Tasmania, or the 

 west coast of Middle Island of New Zealand, because the coasts are 

 rugged and have few inhabitants, and many other places such as 



