REPORT OF THE COUNCIL FOR I915. 
XV 
marked by abundant sunshine, a condition highly valued by 
our troops who were compelled by circumstances to be under 
canvas until late in the year, crops were more easily carried, 
and farming operations were well advanced before winter came 
on. 
Temperature ranged in 1914 between 15 0 F., which was 
recorded on fan. 1st, and 83° F., which was the reading for 
July 21st ; the range of temperature—68 F.—being 5 F. in 
excess of 1913. It must be explained that barometric pressure 
is now measured and expressed in units of the metric system, 
or millibars. The relations between the two scales is :— 
1000 millibars= 29*531 mercury inches. 
A Mean Pressure of 1012*6 mbs. has been recorded as against 
a pressure of 1012*2 mbs. for 1913. December was lowest with 
999*8 mbs., March next with 1000*9 mbs., and February next 
with 1003*5 mbs. May was highest with 1018*7 mbs., June 
and April falling very little below. The extreme range of 
pressure was 74*8 mbs., or 2*21 inches as compared with 2*05 
inches in 1913, and i*8i inches in 1912. The highest reading 
of the barometer was taken January 12th at 9 p.m., 1039*6 
mbs., and the lowest, 964*8 mbs., on February 22nd at 9 a.m. 
Rain or Snow (0.005 inches or more) fell on 177 days, 19 
days fewer than in 1913, and 23 fewer than in 1912. The 
heavy rainfall occurred in three months, July, November, and 
December ; more than a fifth of the year’s fall coming in July, 
5*42 inches and 1*68 inches on July 1st alone. The total 
rainfall for the year is 25*34 inches, being 4*82 inches above 
1913, and 7*67 inches below 1912. Our driest months were 
April, September, and February. The cumulative totals for 
the wettest months since 1841 are now: October 197*24 inches, 
August 195*26 inches, and July 183*55 inches. 
Observations of winds show that during 1914 we have had 
“strong” winds on 61 days as against 43 days in 1913, and 
“ calms ” on 11 days as against 12. The chief winds have 
been W. (260), S. (258), S.W. (123), E. (114). N. (no), N.W. 
(97). We have had 56 days of “ clear ” sky, and 98 of “ over¬ 
cast,” as compared with 32 and 135 respectively for 1913. 
There have been 7 thunderstorms and 15 fogs, a further im¬ 
provement on previous years, which may be due to the efforts 
