A.—3

Meteorological. Summarized, the readings for 1926 are as follows : —Barometer : Mean for year, 30-04. Thermometer : Highest, 91, in January and March; lowest, 58, in July, August, and September ; mean maximum, 87-75 ; mean minimum, 62-41. Rainfall, 53-82 in. Rain fell on 112 days. Maximum rainfall for any one day, 10-35 in., on 22nd November (a record). As previously mentioned, the severe drought experienced from Ist September, 1925, did not break until the 22nd November, 1926. Apart from this there is nothing special to chronicle. The hurricane season passed without any serious blow. Except for a north-westerly gale and heavy seas experienced during the second and third weeks in February, shipping could have been worked throughout the season.

Meteorological Return for the Year ended 31st December, 1926.

Maximum temperature, 91° F., in January and March. Minimum temperature, 59° F., in July, August, and September. Average monthly rainfall, 4-48 in. Average number of days with rain, 9-33. Maximum rainfall, 10-35 in., on 22nd November (a record).

Meteorological Records.

31

Temperature. Total Number of Maximum Month. Barometer. Rainfall Days Rain on any Maximum. Minimum. a ' [ with Rain " one Da y* Deg. Fahr. Dog. Fahr. Inches. Inches. January .. .. 29-94 91 65 1-40 7 0-42 February .. .. 29-92 90 67 2-30 7 0-74 March .. .. 29-99 91 67 8-54 15 2-06 April .. .. 30-07 85 60 2-34 5 0-95 May .. .. 30-09 88 64 0-86 7 0-34 June .. .. 30-14 85 63 1-29 9 0-45 July .. .. 30-08 84 59 6-10 10 2-45 August .. .. 30-14 84 59 3-51 12 0-75 September . . . . 30-13 88 59 0-83 7 0-27 October .. . . 30-06 89 60 3-54 7 1-52 November . . .. 30-01 88 64 20-54 17 10-35 December .. .. 29-99 90 62 2-57 9 1-22 Totals .. 360-56 1,053 749 53-82 112 Means .. 30-04 87-75 62-41 4-48 9-33

Temperature. - Barometer. Rainfall. Days with Maximum Rain Kam. on any One Day. Maximum. Minimum. 30-32 98 72 30-90 27 10-35 Highest .. April, 1911 March, 1921 February, 1921 March, 1923 March, 1913 November, 1926 29-66 82 54 0-08 1 0-06 Lowest .. March, 1911 July, 1914 July, 1915 June, 1915 July, 1911 June, 1915