WEATHER RECORDS: MAY, 1924.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XXVIII, Issue 6, 20 June 1924, Page 424

WEATHER RECORDS: MAY, 1924.

Dominion Meteorological Office. .. . ■ ' GENERAL SUMMARY. . on. . ■ ■ - 1 ■' Rainfall records for May show > great excess, especially in the northern and east-coast districts of the North Island. The South Island returns present less diversity, although the total is considerably below the average for the month in South Canterbury, while it is in excess in North Canterbury and in Otago—being 34 per cent, above at Dunedin and 28 per cent, at Invercargill. Two cyclonic disturbances passed in the North on the 3rd and 17th respectively. . The centre of the former travelled northward of the Bay of Plenty, apparently from the direction of the. Kermadec Islands, while the latter, coming from the "north-west, traversed the northern districts. While the centre was in the vicinity of Awanui, the officer in charge of the wireless station observed and corrected the reading of the standard barometer, which showed a minimum of 28-50 in. It' had fallen from 30-43 in. on the 'l3th, and recovered to 30-05 in. on the 19th. Little change in atmospheric pressure followed over the Dominion until the end of -the month, but on ; the 25th a remarkable storm of heavy rain and fierce easterly gales visited the northern and east-coast districts of the North Island. Although the barometer was high and did not move more than in. during the storm, it is evident that it was the edge of a cyclonic area operating northward of the Dominion, and a remarkable oscillation of pressure was reported from the Chatham Islands, where barometric pressure reached 30-69 in. on the 26th. This occurrence is one of the most noticeable meteorological events recorded in this country for a long time. Three westerly disturbances of moderate intensity passed in the South, culminating on the Ist, 10th, and 31st. Temperatures were mild, and the skies more cloudy than usual, but the local differences make further brief generalization impossible. ■ —D. C. Bates, Director.

INTRODUCTION OF BEES, HONEY, AND APPLIANCES.

The regulations governing the introduction of bees, honey, and related appliances into New Zealand, under the Apiaries Amendment Act, 1913, gazetted on 7th October, 1920, have been revoked and replaced by the following :- - 1. In these regulations “ appliance ” means any hive, frame, comb-foundation, ■or other thing used in connection with the keeping of bees and the harvesting of their products, . : . 2. The introduction of bees into: New Zealand is prohibited, save with the precedent consent of the Minister of Agriculture. • . . 3. Each application for authority to import bees must be made in writing, and must state the name and address of the breeder, and the location of. the apiary from which it is proposed to secure such bees. 4. No appliance which has been used in connection with bees shall be introduced into New Zealand : Provided that in connection with bees imported with the consent of the Minister of Agriculture there may be introduced 'such used appliances as are necessary to serve as containers for such bees. ; : The new regulations were gazetted and' came into force on sth June current.

PRICE OF STRYCHNINE AND PHOSPHORUS.

Owing to a fall in wholesale values the Department has been able to reduce the price of those materials retailed by it for rabbit-destruction, as follows :- Strychnine, reduced from 6s. to 4s. 6d. per ounce (including container and postage) ; phosphorus, reduced from 4s. 6d. to 3s. 6d. per pound. The new prices date as from 1 6th May in the case of strychnine, and from Ist June for phosphorus.-

" ; ■ ' Station. : Total Fall. Number of Wet Days. Maximum Fall. Average May Rainfell. ' "‘‘k"' " . " ~ North Island. Inches. Inches. Inches. Kaitaia . • . . 20-68 21 5'80 5-06 Russell . . . . ,...• • ‘ 9’74 - . "I? 2-48 3-53 Whangarei . . .. • • 14-41 . 17 4’75 6-59 Auckland 10-64 ‘ 22 3-60 4-41 Hamilton . . . . 8-34 25 2-21 . 4-4 1 Kawhia . . - ■ 7-96 ■ 23 1-72 4'77 New Plymouth . .. 6-91 23 i-45 . 6-i6 Inglewood . . • .. • 10-23 • • 23 - 1-83 ■ 9-82 Whangamomona 5-92 20 1-16 6-59 Tairua, Thames ., 14’94 ' l6 3-00 6-n Tauranga ... 7-08 20 1-95 4-88 Maraehako Station, Opotiki 11-42 15 4'4° 4-82 Gisborne ... I3-58 18 2-43 5-50 Taupo . . " • • • • 6-62 16 1-76 3-60 Napier . . . . . ■ • 4-80 17 . 1-92 4-14 Maraekakaho Station, Hastings . . 5-12 19 1-40 3-52 Taihape . . • • • • 3-36 23 I-I2 3’75 Masterton .. ... •• 4-23 l8 o-66 3-9i Patea • .. .. .. ■ 6-15 ■ 19 I-IO 3-9i Wanganui ' ' '. . ' 2-96 9 o-66 3-4° Foxton ■ . . .. 1-98 9 0-56 2-32 Wellington .. 3-65 ' 15 . 1-23 ■ 4-73

Station. Total Fall. Number of Wet Days. Maximum •• ■ Fall. Average May ' ■ . Rainfall. Number of Wet Days. Maximum Fall. Average May Rainfall. South Island Inches. Inches. . Inches. Westport . . ... ' . . 7-06 .21 0-90 6-58 Greymouth . . ... . . ' 9-51 20 I-IO 8-39 Hokitika . . L ■ 9'38 20 1-26 9'79 Arthur's Pass . . A- ■ .. . . .. 6-33 II 1-78 io-93 Okuru, Westland :.. . . IT.30 II 2.00 ■ ii-6o Collingwood . . .' 1 :. . lo'go 18 3.02 10-18 Nelson • 3'13 14 0-90 3'13 Spring Creek, Blenheim 2-07 • 9 6-85 2'49 Tophouse .. . . ... 7-5° 1.5 ‘ 2-23 5-46 Hanmer Springs 2-40 17 0-72 . 3’52 Highfield, Waiau 2-48 II.. 0-70 ■ • 2-76 Gore • Bay . . 4-14 14 1-67 3'43 Christchurch . . 4'79 19 1-09 2-56 Timaru . . ... 1-72 - 18 . 0-72 ■ 1-27 Lambrook Station, Fairlie 0-94 . 8 0-26 1-28 Benmore Station, Omarama 0-91 13 0-22 • 1'75 Oamaru .. .. ... 1-58 Queenstown .. ... .>. o di i'3i 11 0-51 2-71 Clyde.. . . .... . 0-69 8 0-20 o-97 Dunedin. . ... 4'29 18 o-6o 3-20 Gore . . . . 3'25 16 0-82 . 2-84 Invercargill . . . . . . . 5-8 4 20 1-26 4’5.5

RAINFALL FOR MAY, 1924, AT REPRESENTATIVE STATIONS.