652 
Summary. 
The weather of 1883 was, on the whole, far more favourable 
than that of many years past, and the summer was the finest 
experienced siiKie 1874. A. very severe March followed an 
abnormally mild winter, and this was succeeded by a cold and 
changeable spring up to the 12 th May, when fine and hot weather 
set in, and continued, with but little intermission, till the middle 
of July. A month’s cold and unsettled weather then ensued, 
but gave place to about six weeks’ genial sunshine and temperate 
heat in August and September. The autumnal ecjuinox brought 
great rains, and the autumn and remainder of the year was mild 
and changeable, with the exception of a week’s winterly weather 
early in December. The hottest days of the year were June 29th 
and 30th (maximum thermometer, 82 degrees) ; but 80 degrees and 
upwards were also attained on May 24th, July 2nd and 3rd, and 
August 13th. It will thus be seen that, although the summer 
was fine and warm, no excessive heat was registered as in some 
summers (e.g., 1868, 1870, 1873, 1874, 1876, and July, 1881). 
The coldest night was on March 9th, thermometer 23 degrees. 
The rainfall, although in excess of the average,^ was 6| in. less 
than that of previous year, the total being 28.46 in. 
