90 
mr. a. w. preston’s meteorological notes. 
strong in force, accompanied by frequent rain though not heavy ; 
the second half was anti-cyclonic, accompanied by high barometric 
pressure, north-easterly and easterly winds, bright sunshine and 
dry weather, with considerable warmth at times. During the 
latter period no rain whatever fell, and the weather of the Easter 
holidays was magnificent, in fact, there was but little to equal it 
during the whole of the ensuing summer. 
April. 
Although the amount of cloud was larger, nearly all the 
meteorological characteristics of this month were more favourable 
than those of the previous April, which will long be remembered 
for its magnificent weather. The month entered with a spell of 
dry warm weather, and it was at one time apprehended that another 
season of drought similar to that of 1893 was in store for us, there 
being hardly any measurable rain from March 17th to April 11th, 
a period of twenty-five days. On the morning of the 12th, 
however, a refreshing rain set in, and more typical April weather 
than the alternating sunshine and shower of the latter half of the 
month has not been recorded for some years. The rains at times 
were heavy, and the total fall for the month was nearly half an 
inch over the average, whereas the rainfall of 1893 was 0.10 only, 
falling on three days, which, as far as moistening the soil was 
concerned, practically amounted to no rain whatever. The mean 
temperature of the month was 49. G, the highest registered since 
1874. This was chiefly due to the warm nights, the mean of 
which was 3f- degrees higher than last year. The fact of the range 
of temperature being small, and the moisture excessive, was greatly 
in favour of vegetation, which was again very early, the Hawthorn 
being in flower by the 29th. 
May. 
This was a cold month, with mean temperature 3 degrees below 
the average. It was, in fact, colder than April, although, in an 
average season, the mean of May should be G degrees above that 
of April. There was much cloud at times, and considerable falls 
ot rain at short intervals. During the last ten days morning 
ground-frosts were of frequent occurrence, doing much damage 
to the Potato crop in many parts of the county. 
