THE The Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1872.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1112, 20 February 1872, Page 2

THE The Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1872.

Greymouth experienced, yesterday, the very antithesis of a flood, and what is in these districts a somewhat rare phenomenon—one of those dry, hot, blustering, dust-provoking winds the prevalence of. which has, during the present season, and in other-parts of the country, influenced the public health, blighted crops, and proved the primary cause of those extensive bush and grass tires which have devastated alike sheep-runs and settlements. There is, perhaps, nothing so exceedingly strange in a mere change of temperature that, except during an extreme drought of news, we should notice the circumstance, but there are features of what is here so rare, and what has everywhere else been so common, which, in, the absence of any other stirring subjects, may be worthy of a passing notice. In other parts of the Colony the peculiar characteristics of the season, culminating as they have done in calamities to the country population, have been largely described and discussed, and it is astonishing how considerable the popular iijnoraoce seems to be regarding peculiarities of weather whioh are, in a greater or less degree, of annual recurrence. The bucolic mind, judging from correspondence in contemporaries, fails to appreciate how it happens that, while we on the West Coast have had a succession of freshes and floods, the eastern Provinces, not a league distant, should be so parched by the want of rain that crops decay and scores of settlers are burnt out of house and home ; and it may equally puzzle the reader of the telegraphic reports yesterday to decide how it should be universally " bright sky" and clear dry weather on the West Coast, while along the whole eastern seaboard there should be reports of a "gloomy" and "overcast" sky, with " passing showers," or " rain." In situations where the late drought has been most protracted, and most serious in its effects, correspondents of newspapers, who are more apt in the art of writing than in acquaintance with meteorology, .are ascribing the circumstances to all sorts of causes, including even the possible proximity of a comet's tail to the surface of the earth, As an example of this correspondence we quote from the Canterbury Press a communication which appeared in the columns of that paper a few days ago. The writer asks : — " Can any of your learned correspondents explain to us the cause or source of those terrible nor'-westerly blasts which cause us so much inconvenience. We have had several discussions on the subject lately, and I do not feel quite satistied with any of the explanations that have been given. Certainly it seems odd that a wind blowing from the cold mountainous regions of the interior, should arrive here heated to a temperature of ninety c-egrees, and lam afraid that the thermometer in the shade has even been higher than that within the last few days. Among the different solutions which have been offered on this subject, one scientific friend ascribes the heated blast most decidedly to electricity, while another, who takes a more practical view of the subject, throws the responsibility on the numerous fires which are always raging on the plains; however, I believe that neither of them is the correct explanation of the subject. If you can enlighten us we shall be much obliged to you." For the enlightenment of his correspondent the editor only need have referred to any of the manuals on meteorology, when he would have found that, in various parts of the earth, and eminently in New Zealand, the effect of the existence of an Alpine range is first and necessarily to interrupt the advance of a sea-travelled wind, to condense its aqueous vapor as it ascends and passes over the mountain tops, and thus to communicate to the descending wind, on what may be described as its lee-side, or high degree of dryness and heat. The process is very elaborately and scientifically described in some of Lieut. Maury's works on meteor6!ogy,aHditisonthisactionofAlpineranges that he and others raise the hypothesis that at the Poles there may be an undiscovered country or . sea-basin possessing v comparatively worm , temperature. For present purposes, and for plain readers, a sufficient explanation of the phenomena is, however, given by a correspondent of the Nelson Mail, in noticing some remarks which had lately been made on the same subject. In a recent letter this correspondent says: — * " The difficulty, however, is easily explained. The Australian hot wind on I reaching the sea instantly evaporates moisture until, saturated. In that process of evaporation a vast amount of heat is absorbed and rendered 'latent.' Oa striking the (Southern Alps the accumulated moisture is suddenly condensed in

rain, and, converse^, in that process of condeusation, the heat, by evaporation I rendered latent, is liberated, and the air. thus again becomes not only dry but hot also, as before it employed its heat in evaporation. Hence the nor'-wester of Canterbury, Otago, and Southland," A still more close and correct description fof > the causes of this commem phenomenon is given by a correspondent of the Canterbury paper from, which we have already quoted. His description is aa follows : — " The nor'-wester in the Southern Hemisphere corresponds to the warm moisture-leden sou -wester wind of Europe ; it is in fact the southern antitrade which comes to us, warm and moist, from the region of the tropics. It is true that it parts with much of Us moisture in the calm beltß, but it reaches the earth long before it arrives at New Zealand, and passes over a great tract of ocean, thus becoming again saturated with aqueous vapour. It prevails during summer months, when the sun is at the southern tropic, and when consequently the northeast trade and north-west antitrade reach a lower latitude than at other times of the year. "On impinging on the west coast of the island, the wind meets a great mountain barrier, up the faco of which it is driven. As it ascends, it is rarified, \ consequently chilled, and much, heat is rendered latent by the expansion of the rarified air ; the aqueous vapor which it contained is precipitated in torrents of rain ; hence the high rainfall on the West Coast and the flooding of our rivers. When the wind, after passing over the ranges and parting with its moisture, reaches the eastern face of the hills, it falls rapidly nearly to the sea level ; in this rapid fall of level the air becomes condensed, the heat previously latent (to use' the language of the old caloric theory), is rendered sensible by the condensation, and the moisture having been nearly all precipitated on the ranges, the nor'wester reaches us as a hot drying wind. •Its violent gusty character is due to various local circumstances, the rarifaction produced by the great heated surface of the plains, &c." The order of things which is here described, and which has been so abundantly illustrated by the peculiarities of the present season, was yesterday reversed, so far as concerns the direction of the wind, and hence the weather signs of yesterday on the West Coast— a bright sky, with nearly similar readings of barometer and thermometer at all the stations from Hokitika to Nelson. Observe the difference on the eastern sea-board. At nine o'clock yesterday morning rain and a rough sea were reported at Tauranga; the same at Napier; and at Wellington, Lyttelton, Christchurch, and as far south as Timaru, the report was "overcast," or "gloomy," the direction of the wind being from S.E. The readings of the barometer were very equal, and not unusually low at that hour, but at the two most elevated stations— at Taupo, 1070 feet above the sea, and at Bealey, at a still greater elevation (2140 feet), the batometer stood at 28.70 and 28.00 respectively, figures which, though they would indicate a hurricane at sea, are, however, not even exceptionally low at these altitudes. What was felt here as a dry hot wind would in all probability be accompanied during the day, on the East Coast, by a copious fall of rain, and it i 3 not unlikely that there has been experienced on the sea coaat one of those fierce easterly gales which annually, at this season, have been the cause of disaster in the open and exposed roadsteads.

" There were several fires in the neighborhood of the town yesterday afternoon, and one in such close and dangerous proximity to houses on the Terrace that the lire-bell was rung and the engine brought out by the Brigade. The house of Mr Cooper, surveyor, was in greatest danger, but precautions were taken for its safety, while exertions were made to prevent the spread of the fire, and fortunately towards evening the wind fell The bush continued on fire during the night, but, as there was no imminent danger, the conflagration was more an object of admiration than of alarm. While the Hon. Mr Fox was in Greymouth, he was requested by the Secretary of the Literary Institute to deliver a lecture in aid of the Relief Fund, but, in, consequence of his engagements, the hon. gentleman was unable to do so. His letter stating this to the Secretary enclosed a cheque for ten guineas, and: expressed his own* and Mrs Fox's sympathy with the sufferers. It will be seen by our telegrams that the four-oared boat race pulled at Chrhtchurch yesterday, resulted in the Lyttelton crew winning the prize. The race was intended to be art intercolonial one, but Sydney did not send a crew, as was expected, and Auck« land also failed to do so. The following were the entries :— The Otago Club's boat, Otago ; the Wellington Club's boat, Wellington ; the Auckland Club's boat, Auckland ; the Lyttelton Club's boat, Waterlily ; the Canterbury Bowing Club's boat, Illissus ; the Kaiapoi Club's boat, Endeavor ; the Heathooate and Union Club's boat, Sabrina. There was even a better attendance at the Circus last evening than there was on the opening night. . The.disposition of the people- is evidently to Bee • some sights different from the. spectacle presented by the somewhat dreary appearunco of tie streets since the flood, and the sights ftb the Circus are well worthy of being seen. The performances are announced to close this evening, and' to conclude with some grand equestrian display entitled " The Steeple-chaso." The firing for the Colonial prizes is appointed to take place at Christchurch, on Tuesday, April 2. Mr Burton, of the firm of Mitchell, Burton and Co, has driven the pioneer coach from Christchurch to Akaroa, containin { the Superintendent of Canterbury, the Mayor of Christchurch, and other passengers. Mr Todd, as Mayor of Hokitika, has been gazetted a Justice of the Peace. Mr Cassidy has had some well-constructed coaches built by a Hokitika coach builder. A concert, principally promoted by Mr Morton Tavares, took place in Christchurch last Thursday evening, in aid of the Greymouth Relief Fund. A Mr Howlan, who was on a sketching tour from Punedin, was drowned while crossing the iiaugitata (Canterbury), on the 14th inst. Two accidents happened in town yesterday, resulting in personal injury. One occurred m connection with the fire on the Terrace; the other was an indirect conse- ; quence of the flood. While the engine was at work at the fire, Mr Betts, carpentor. who was assisting, got his arm accidentally uudor the handle of the engine, and .the bones were fractured. He was attended by Dr Morwe, The' other a«6ideut happened to Mr B. Jones, general dealer, Richmond Quay,

Near Mr Fanvig's, in Tainui street, he fell into one of the many excavations made in the streets by the floods, and was so severely stunned and injured that he was removed to the Hospital ; but he bas since been removed to* Mb own residence, thongh still suffering from the effects of the accident. William Fogarty, a man in the employment of the contractors of the Port Chalmers railway, has been, killed by a fall of stone in a quarry ; a piece of his skull wns broken off, and his left jinn was completely severed. He survived for several hours. Mr Morton Tavares.i.a tragedian of considerable repute, is jSiow. giving Shakespearian entertainments in Ckristckurch. Mr Hoskins and Miss Oolville are performing to crowded houses in Wellington. Both Knottingley and Flying Fish arc to run at the Porbury Park Races, DunedLn, on the 23rd and 25th of next month. Another native industry nas been established at Port Chalmers, viz., the preservation of fish in tins for exportation. From our Wellington files we notice that one of the Borough Councillors of that city has tabled the following notice of motion :- - "That L3OO per annum be paid to the Mayor of this corporation." The death rate in Christckurck and the suburbs, among infants, is alarmingly high, and in one day . last week as many as thirteen burials were From all accounts the epidemic answers to that known in England as choleraic, diarrhea. The Presbyterians of Canterbury Lave adopted the step of establishing a magazine as an organ of the Presbyterian Church Extension Association. Fifty acres of standing corn, belonging to MrOrton and the Messrs Parr, hear Tiraaru, have been accidentally burnt. With other property, their loss is estimated at LIOOO. A Canterbury runholder has been compelled to drive 10,000 shcap a distance of 100 miles in consequence of a lire destroying one of his runs. He is a fortunate man to have a second run to take them to, A Kansas billinid saloon uses a home-made table— a large goods box, on which was laid a^ waggon-load of sandstone, covered with eight yards of blue jearix li'or. pockets they use old boots, about No. 10 ; for cues, broken hoe-handles; boiled eggs for balls; and to count this lovely gamo they use dried apples on a clothes-line. In Stewart's Island, for the intended special settlements, land has been divided into three classes, subject to various con-, ditions of disposal, viz., 10,000 acres subject to free grants ; -30,000 acres to be sold at 5s per acre ; and 60,000 acres at the upset price of 5s per acre. -h.?? Two Ch;natnen, desirous of acquiring a knowledge of the English, language, recently presented themselves at tb.e Waipori school. The teacher, however, declined to receive them, on the ground that they would disturb the studies of tbe children. . ; A new steamer named the Jane Williams has been launched on Lake Wakatip. The Chinese at Waipori, Ofcagb, are said to bedoing remarkably well. They patronise the various hotels liberally, and are good cus. tomcrs to the storekeepers. They indulge to a great extent in gambling at their own camp, and are rather fond of "devil's pool." A. meeting, at which Mr Archer was in tbe chair, was held at Ross on Friday even-' ing, for the purpose of taking steps to render assistance to the sufferers by the late flood in tbe Grey District. On the motion of Mr Cuming, seconded by Mr O'Hara, a committee of the inhabitants was appointed for tbe purpose of collecting subscriptions, and Mr Guthiel was elected secretary and treasurer. '..__.. Mr W. Seed, Inspector of Customs, has roturned to Wellington by tbe Nevada, from an official trip to the Navigator Islands. Mr Seed was instructed by the Government to proceed to tbe Navigators to.r the purpose of examining and reporting as to their s^it.ability as a mail station, and generally whether it would be advisable for tbe Colonial Government to recommend to the Imperial Government the annexation of this, interesting group as a dependency of New Zealand, on account of its commercial position. . A man named Jobn Bloy, one of tbe Sea View lunatic patients, was drowned in the Hokitika River last, Saturday. According to the report of the circumstance in the West Coast limes of yesterday, he had been out walking up the Kanieri road. with some other patients, under tbe charge of tbe keeper, Mr Gribbin, and Warder. Loftus, and when about a mile from town, Bloy ran into the bush, and though be was immediately followed, be contrived to elude capture. . It appears, however, that he made for the rivet with tbe .intention of crossing it. He got over one branch of the river and across a shingle bank, but when be got into the ojfter branch he found the current; 100 strong for him. He then agrearued out, and a man named Ciisholm, who was wop king on the south side, saw him attempt to catch hold of a snag, when immediately he was knocked under by the other end of it. Ffe rose, and was seen by Cbisbolm for about twenty yards further,' and then was sucked down by an eddy which runs with great swiftness at that point of the river, and tbe unfortunate man was not seen again. Capt. Turnbull, who. happened to be near at hand, in a small boat, with Captain Bascand, rowed up and down the river, but could see nothing of the man; bis hat, however, was found. stuck on a snag. A search for the body was made yesterday by Captain Turnbull and a boat's crew, and also by Detective Browne and Constable Douglas, but without success.