33

H.—l2a.

I am not aware that I can offer any suggestions for more fully carrying out the object in view. As from information already obtained, since taking observations, I only see one thing wanting—good instruments. lam aware those cannot be obtained hurriedly ; but when once in position, there is no doubt that in time a perfect system of meteorological observations will be established throughout the colony. I have, &c, S. A. Leech, The Hon. the Commissioner of Customs, Wellington. Harbour Master.

No. 11. Captain Ttjenbitll to the Hon. W. H. Reynolds. Sib, — Harbour Department, Westland, Hokitika, 17th Juue, 1875. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th June, 1875, in which I am requested to forward to you my opinion as to whether the storm warnings have been borne out by the weather which has subsequently been experienced at this station, and what number has been found useful at this station ; and also what suggestion, if any, I may be able to make for the more fully carrying out the object in view. In the first place, I may state that the weather experienced at this station subsequent to the warning being sent has borne out such warnings in a large proportion, more especially those gales which visit us from the north and north-west round to the south-west. In the second place, the forecast has been good, considering the material which Commander Edwin, R.N., had to commence with, such as common aneroids, for which no proper rate of error can be fixed, and situated as we are with an immense chain of mountains dividing the East from the West Coast, which chain of mountains must affect the course of the winds from the oceans on each side of the ranges, each of which oceans being also of a different temperature. The proportion of good forecasts is as 7 to 10, which, I think, will recommend itself to your notice. In the third place, the only suggestion which I could place before you is, that the principal stations should have first-class instruments, a large Letts' Diary to record all remarks at full length in ; and I think that, from my knowledge of the officers in charge on many of the stations, especially stations in the Middle Island, the results would be highly satisfactory to you. I have, &c, Thos. Tubnbull, Chief Harbour Master for Westland. The Hon. the Commissioner of Customs, Wellington.

No. 12. Mr. Wilkie to the Hon. W. H. Reynolds. Sic, — Telegraph Office, Spit, Port Ahuriri, 14th June, 1875. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of yours of the 9th instant relative to storm warnings. During the last three months I have paid particular attention to the warnings telegraphed by Captain Edwin, and have found them correct in nearly every instance. The most correct predictions as regards the winds here have been those predicted from southwest round northerly to north-east, the winds from south-west to east not blowing home here into the bight of the bay. Regarding the predictions for southerly and easterly weather, I have ascertained by inquiries from captains of vessels that they were very often correct on the main coast line outside of the bay, although not felt so far in as this. I have also noticed, after many of the predictions for south-easterly weather, that a heavy south-east sea would come into the bay, although we had very little wind here. As nearly as I can judge I should think the warnings were correct in about six instances in every seven. I may also state that the captains and owners of vessels here highly appreciate Captain Edwin's endeavours, and they are now placing great dependence on his predictions, as some of them have experienced considerable benefits from attending to his warnings. It is now a common occurrence here, when there is appearance of dirty weather, for them to ask me what opinion Captain Edwin gives of it. I have no doubt that, after the system is fairly established, it will be a great benefit to vessels trading in and and about Havvke's Bay. I have, &c, W. Wilkie, The Hon. the Commissioner of Customs, Wellington. Telegraphist.

No. 13. Captain Thomson to the Hon. the Commissioner of Ccstoms. Sib, — Harbour Office, Port Chalmers, 14th June, 1875. Agreeably to your request in communication of 9th inst., re storm warnings, I have the honor to report as follows :— Ist. Since the commencement of the experiment till now, the warnings flashed from the central office to this station have been on the whole borne out very nearly. 5—H. 12a.