L* 
& 
18. The island is subject to strong squalls at all times, but 
more frequently after the monsoons have fairly set in. These 
squalls often do much damage, although seldom of long dura- 
tion. Native houses are frequently blown over by a strong 
wind of this description, which, as a rule, comes on very sud- 
denly and gives but little time for preparation. The number 
of fallen trees and branches everywhere strewn about strongly 
remind me of what I have observed in Mauritius after a mild 
hurricane. • . 
19. The mean annual Rainfall of the ten years preced- 
ing 1879, averages 91*66 inches, which shows no appreciable 
difference when compared with averages taken 30 years pre- 
viously, I append an abstract of Rainfall observations 
taken at several stations within the town district, which show 
that as much as 6*25 inches fall in 24 hours, while a fall of 
from four to hve inches in the same time is quite common, 
and the satisfactory sanitary condition of the island, and of 
its towns and villages in particular, depends upon these heavy 
rains, which flush the sewers and ditches, and wash away 
all pestilential matter ; hence the saying amongst the inha- 
bitants that dry weather is unhealthy. 
20. Annexed also are tables shewing the number of rainy 
days in each month and year for over a period of twelve years 
from records kept at the Criminal Prison in the Town of Singa- 
pore and for a period of seventeen years from a gauge kept by 
Mr. Knight, at Thompson Road, about three miles from town. 
This latter gives an average of seventeen rainy days per month 
all the year round ; smallest number in one month, fifteen days, 
in June ; greatest, twenty-three days, in November ; smallest 
number of rainy days in one year, one hundred and twenty-four, 
in 1877 ; greatest, two hundred and forty-four, in 1879 ; while 
at the Criminal Prison’s gauge is found an annual average of 
four te en - and - a-h alf rainy days for each month of the year ; 
least number in one month, twelve days, namely, in June ; 
greatest, twenty days, in November ; smallest number in one 
year, one hundred and nine days, in 1877 ; greatest two hun- 
dred and twelve, in 1871. See Appendix D. 
21. It will be observed, therefore, that Mr. Knight’s gauge 
gives an average of thirty-four more rainy days in the year 
than has been recorded at the Criminal Prison, which may be 
accounted for by the fact of its being at a greater elevation 
above sea level than the other, and to its position being three 
miles nearer the hills or common watershed of the island, 
22. It is very desirable that Rainfall records should be pro- 
curable from stations distributed over a greater extent of coun- 
try? as, by such means, a fair estimate of the annual fall over the 
whole island could be obtained, more especially as showers are 
now well known to be more local than formerly, and to fall 
most abundantly in the districts of Bukit Timah, Upper Kal- 
ian g and Ainokiali. 
IV hether the extensive denudation ' of the primaeval 
forests in Singapore has had any marked effect on the climate 
of the island, is a question of considerable interest to all con- 
cerned. That such clearings have had a decided effect, and 
otten a disastrous one in other countries, is a fact which does 
not admit of auy difference of opinion. Considering, however, 
the small area of Singapore and its being closely surrounded 
oil two sides by the wooded territory of Johor, not to mention 
its insular position, it is to be expected that the effect of such 
clearings would be less felt than on a continent. 
1 / 
See Appendix D. 
