RAINFALL AT CLIFTON IN 1884. 
231 
Remarks. — The total rainfall of the 3 ^ear differs but little 
from the average of 30 years, showing a deficiency of something 
less than one inch. Six months were in excess of the average, 
and six were in defect. The rainy months were mostly in the 
first half of the year, and the dry months mostly in the latter 
half, with the result that the entire fall of the first half of the 
year exceeded the entire fall of the second half — a noteworthy 
deviation from the ordinary rule. From August to November 
the deficiency was continuous and very marked. The fall in 
October was the smallest recorded here in that month during a 
period of 3*2 years, and the aggregate fall of the four months 
was also the smallest recorded here in the same four months. 
Nevertheless, no general inconvenience was experienced in these 
parts, the normal rainfall of those months being sufficient to 
allow of a large reduction without any approach to absolute 
-drought. In some of the northern towns the scarcity of water 
was at one time becoming serious. 
The rain in December largely exceeded the average, amount- 
ing to 5* '2^9 inches, and the whole of this quantity fell in the 
first 19 da^’-s of the month, the last 12 days being rainless. 
December was the wettest month of the year, and April was the 
driest. 
A remarkablj’ heavy downpour occurred in the night of the 
28th of June, when 2'44 inches fell within ten and a half hours. 
On the fifth of December also the fall exceeded an inch. 
The year was almost free from snow, no greater depth than 
■half an inch having been registered. 
