9

H.—ls

The morning forecast is the principal one issued, but afternoon weather reports from twentyfour stations are issued as the basis of a move general forecast for the benefit of readers of the morning papers. The observations are taken at 4 p.m., and arc usually al! in about 5 o'clock. This report is handed freely to the New Zealand Times and the Dominion newspapers, but it is telegraphed daily at the expense of other papers —viz., the Auckland Herald, Napier Herald, Christehurch Press, Lyttelton Times, Otago Daily Times, and the Southland Times. Summaries and forecasts are also sent daily, except on Saturdays, Sundays evenings, and Government holidays, to the following journals:' Herald, Auckland; Times, Gisborne; Herald, Napier; News, New Plymouth; Chronicle, Wanganui; Times, Palmerston North; Age, Masterton; Colonist, Nelson; News, Westport; Argus, Greymouth; Times, Hokitika; Times, Christchurch; Press, Christehurch; Herald, Timaru; Times, Oamaru; Times, Dunedin; Times, Invercargill: and on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays to the Mail, Ashburton, and the Times, Waimate. These reports, summaries, and forecasts go at press rates through the Press Association of New Zealand. . The new Wellington Observatory was opened on the Gtli June, 1912, on ground rented from the Wellington City Council at os. per annum, and the grass and paths are to be kept in order at a further charge of £1. The site is a very good one, but, though protected as far as possible, the fence has not proved insuperable to mischievous persons, who have on more than one occasion spoiled the records of the exposed instruments. The equipment of the observatory is fairly complete but an instrument to record wind-directions has not yet arrived, though ordered some time ago m Melbourne. The records of the automatic instruments have proved most useful, and have been referred to on several occasions to decide matters in dispute Ihe Dine s anemometer established at the new wireless station on Mount Etako has furnished very interesting results, showing nearly double velocity at that height above the city. The office equipment has also been improved by the addition of a comptometer and a Gestetner dunhcating-mac q hine. The work of the office during the past few years has grown so much that on£ experlnce and constant effort upon the part of each member of the staff enables the work to be kept up satisfactorily. . Further extension is asked for in the direction of regularly supplying forecasts broadcast Furthei extension when agked f but lt lg not thougM i -tension will be in the direction of rainfall statistics in piuclent to in . i Department, for we are about to issue another 500 rain-gauges, cTriefly »'« « P° ssibk at th * -"-and along the banks of the rivers. Ts inormation is needed for hydro-electric problems and flood warnings. There xs a disinelinat on to undertake more until opportunity is given for developing what 1S already m hand. Wire ess weather reports from ships have not come up to expectations firstly through the vessels teWlerallyiiot equipped with standard instruments, and secondly because the officers ana operltors to be brought into closer touch with the work, and tor this we have but little opportunity. Wireless weather reports from Macquarie Island have proved of interest and value, giving help in forecasting, and throwing considerable light upon Australasian weather problems. Longer observations and further study are needed for their fullest appreciation tor the connection between antarctic conditions and in these latitudes is evidently very intimate though at times difficult to understand These records will, moreover, link in with those of the British Antarctic ExpediLn whSh, in the capable hands of Dr. G. C. Simpson, an- likely to prove of the utmost value o meteorological science. The Commonwealth Weather Bureau as well as this office are supplying records with a view to assisting in this object, for which Captain Scott, Dr. Wilson, and thenbrave companions gave their lives. Q Dim , tor The Chief Inspector of Fisheries to the Secretary, Marine Department. Wellington, 25th April, 1913. " IR ' I have the honour to supply the following report on the fisheries for the year ending 31st March. Durine the year 1 visited the fisheries at Bay of Islands, Kaipara, Whangarei Great Barrier, Hauraki Gulf Hawke's Bay, Wellington District, Marlborough Sounds, Nelson, Canterbury District Otaeo District Southland, and Stewart Island. I inspected and reported on the Taupo and Rotorua trout-fisheries at the request of the Minister for the Department of Internal Affairs. I also held the following inquiries : one at Christehurch, in connection with the question of nettmglimits in Lake Ellesmere; one at Invercargill, along with the Collector of Customs, m connection with the netting of trout in the New River estuary; and one at Bluff, with the Commissioner of Crown Lands for Southland, with regard to the size-limit for blue cod. During the year I paid several visits to the Portobello Marine Station; and also the salmon-station at Hakataramea, where I assisted with the collection of salmon and trout eggs last spawning season,

a—h. is,