CORRESPONDENCE

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13308, 8 January 1912, Page 4

CORRESPONDENCE

(The Editor does uot Decessarily identify himself with the opinions expressed by his correspondents.]

METEOROLOGICAL INDICA-

TIONS. ,

[itor of "The OoloniBt.")

Sir,—ln reply to "Enquirer," I shall be glad to give my 68 years experience in Nelson, lurst, 1 will commence with the moon. Some scientists say that it has no innuendo on the weather; others say the^contrary, and I agree with them. If the mooii can influence the ocean, causing tho tides, why cannot it affect the atmosphere, a 'lighter fluid? In the olden:days, when, steamers were not, vessels trading out of Wellington to Wanganui, New Plymouth and Nelson, used to run out and catch the S.E. winds which prevail at new and full moon. There are two kinds of south-casters, one the Xtraga, as the nativos call it, which is a dry one, tho other a roaring one-, which generally lasts about two days, making it so-disagreeable with its clouds of dust, and always ending in rain. The normal weather in Nolson from August to May is a. land breeze at night, which is south, and tho sea breeze at day, which is a north wind, not north-west. A north-west wind is very, rare here. . Last year it only blew five times. Everyone in Nelsbfi conversant with Blind Bay must know' Astrolabe, which is N.W. from Nelson, and how often do they see the N.W. blowing. It is the north wind they mistake. Now, a great many people mistake the character of the wind. When it is blowing not more than about two miles an hour it Is oailed a calm, the other a dead calm. Now, as regards rain, the rainy quarters are north-east, east, and' southeast. It never rains from the nortlvwest. _ In the spring we have showsi's lasting about 20 minutes, and then two hours sunshine, again rain, again sunshine, and this may last two or three days. Now for* the signs of rain. When you sec Maokay's lihiff charged with clouds then you may "xpect it. When tho sky from deep blue, at the zenith changes to green or yellow it is a sign of rain. When you see Separation Point changing into fantastic shapes, heavy rain. Itis a kind of mirage, and you will also see the trees and houses- at Motueka thrown up.

T nm, etc.,

J. SHARP