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I think his warnings have been pretty well borne out. About 75 per cent, of the telegrams received have proved correct. It has been remarked the bad weather indicated does not always come here, and it often happens that there is strong wind outside when we have it moderately calm, so that it would appear to be somewhat difficult to predict gales at Tauranga. Captain Fan-child's knowledge of weather in the Bay of Plenty would, I believe, bear me out in this opinion. I am of opinion that if a system of storm warnings were established it would be of real service. I may have estimated the proportion of telegrams that have been borne out by the weather subsequently experienced at this station low, but not having kept any reliable accounts was afraid of misleading you. If a system of storm signals is established, I would suggest that the flagstaff as described in my telegram to Captain Edwin some months ago be erected. I have, &c, J. H. Sheath, The Hon. the Commissioner of Customs, Wellington. Officer in Charge.

No. 5. Captain Best to the Hon. W. H. Reynolds. Sic, — Grahamstown Harbour Office, 23rd June, 1875. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th instant, in which you do me the honor to request suggestions from me on various matters in connection with the working of the system of storm warnings at present adopted throughout the colony, and as to whether those warnings are likely to prove of practical benefit. In reply, I beg to state that the warnings have been to a certain extent a success, in enabling me to inform masters of coasting vessels and others of the expected bad weather, thus giving them time to take precautionary measures to meet the same, whether in leaving the port for sea or at their moorings, and which have in many instances proved most advantageous. With regard to that portion of your letter as to whether the warnings have been borne out by the weather subsequently experienced, I may state that it has not in all cases proved correct, but in nearly every instance it has been borne out by the barometer and general appearance of the sky in direction indicated in the warnings. I constantly inquire of the masters of coasting vessels which arrive here as to the weather experienced by them, with a view of contrasting with the storm warnings sent to this station, and have invariably found the warnings correct, although perhaps quite different weather here, which I attribute in a great measure to the chain of hills which divide us from the East Coast. I may state that for several years past, and before the inauguration of the present system, I have made the atmospheric changes and indications of approaching bad weather a special study, and I can say that the warnings sent to this port have been in the proportion of one to four. Even in this proportion, there can be no doubt that the system, if continued, and with a better class of instruments, will ere long prove of immense benefit to those whose avocations and business are in connection with the shipping of the colony; and, with a view of creating more interest and closer attention on the part of weather officers in the performance of this very interesting and important duty, I would respectfully suggest that a better class of instruments be supplied, as I need not say want of confidence in any instrument upon the accuracy of which so much depends independent of practical experience from observation of atmospheric changes, will cause a person to doubt his judgment, and detract from the zeal and attention that otherwise would follow when there is a pleasure in the duty and a confidence in the instrument assisting in the performance of it. I have, <fee, George C. Best, The Hon. the Commissioner of Customs, Wellington. Harbour Master, Thames.

No. 6. The Chaibman of the Auckland Haeboijk Boaeb to the Hon. W. H. Reynolds. Sic, — Auckland Harbour Board, Auckland, 23rd June, 1875. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th current, in reference to the system of experimental storm warnings, and requesting an opinion as to the result of the wort. I am directed to inform you, in reply, that your letter was referred to the weather returning officer for his opinion thereon. Copy of his minute I herewith enclose, to which I beg to refer. I have, &c, James M. BeighaM, The Hon. the Commissioner of Customs, "Wellington. Secretary. Regarding the storm warnings forwarded by Commander Edwin to the Chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, and from that gentleman to me, I beg most respectfully to state that not one in twenty has been correct, and the very few that have I have been invariably prepared for. I do not attribute any blame or want of management on the part of Commander Edwin, as I believe that gentleman has done all that man could do; but my long experience on the East and West Coasts of 'New Zealand tells me that many gales blow along the coast that never reach half-way to Auckland, and that most of the gales that visit this harbour are purely local; and further, I believe it to be almost impossible to foresee the weather in Auckland at Wellington. Wm, Elms*