734 mk. A - w. preston’s meteorological notes. 
June. 
The first four days were exceedingly warm, and the air 
very close, culminating in a series of thunderstorms, which 
cleared the air, and greatly reduced the temperature. Rain 
fell almost daily to the 17th, though not very heavily at any 
time, and from the 19th the weather was very fine with a high 
barometer and north-easterly winds. The mean temperature 
of the month was slightly above the average, and the rainfall 
about three-quarters of an inch deficient. On the last night 
of this month, and on the following night, twilight was pro- 
longed to such an extent that small print'could be read out 
of doors till 10.30 p.m., a most unusual experience in these 
latitudes, even during th.e long days of June. Considerable 
difference of opinion seems to have prevailed as to the cause 
of the phenomena, although the view of the writer is that it 
was a summer exhibition of the aurora borealis. 
J uly. 
The anti-cyclonic conditions which prevailed during the 
latter part of June continued during the opening days of July, 
but from the 7th to the 16th frequent barometric depressions 
passed across the country, accompanied by very heavy rains. 
During this period no less than 3.40 ins. of rain fell, of which 
1.80 ins, was gauged for the 24 hours ending 9 a.m. on the 
14th. The last ten days of the month were practically rainless, 
and the weather very fine. The mean temperature of the 
month was in close agreement with the average, and although 
there were some warm days during the last week no very 
exceptional heat was experienced. During the month the 
thermometer reached or exceeded 70 degrees on 15 days, 
against 6 days in the previous July. 
August. 
This was a disappointing month. After a few similar fine 
days to those which closed f J uly, the weather broke down 
completely, and on many days it was very cool and cheerless, 
with rain, although the latter was not heavy till the latter 
part of the month, when drenching thunder-rains occurred at 
times. Much cloud prevailed on many days during the month, 
