Notes on the Weather During 1876.

Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 9, 1876, Unnumbered Page

Notes on the Weather During 1876. January.—Except at some of the Northern stations, the rainfall has been very much less than is usual for this month, very hot dry weather prevailing, with easterly winds, and generally moderate. The weather at Mongonui, Auckland, and Napier has, however, been very wet, squally, and unpleasant, the rainfall being greatly in excess of the average. Earthquakes were reported by the Observers at Napier on the 13th, at 4.13 p.m., sharp; at Wanganui, same date, at 4.25 p.m., slight; also by telegraph, same date, at Napier, 4.20 p.m., duration 12 Seconds, direction E. and W., heaviest shock felt for some years. Also by Hokitika Observer, on the 10th, slight. Meteor observed at Queens-town on 22nd. February.—Fine weather was experienced throughout during this period; rainfall below, and temperature above, the average; no gales of any note occurred. Earthquakes reported by Meteorological Observers are,—at Queenstown on 25th, at 3.20 a.m., and on 26th, at 8.40 a.m.; also at Dunedin, on 26th, shocks felt. At Cape Campbell, on 29th, a smart shock felt at 4.45 a.m. From the Telegraph Department we have the following reports:—On 26th at Oamaru, a severe shock was felt at 3.25 a.m., direction N. W. to S.E.; a slighter shock at 4.15 a.m.; another severe shake at 8.55 a.m., same direction; several chimneys down, others cracked, stone buildings damaged; on 28th, report that slight shocks still continued, no damage; on night of same date, however, a sharp shock was felt at 8.40 p.m., direction N.E. to S.W. At Port Chalmers, on 26th, at 3.24 a.m., a heavy shock, lasting twenty seconds, preceded by two very slight shocks, and at 8.50 a.m. another long shake, not so severe as the first; slight shakes have been reported since, but are rather uncertain. At Waimate, on 26th, two sharp shocks reported, one at 3 a.m. and one at 8.50 a.m., direction E. to. S. W. At Naseby, on 26th, shocks felt slightly at 3 a.m. and 8.45 a.m., direction E., to. S. A smart shock reported to have been felt in Wellington on 29th, at about 4 a.m. March.—Weather rather squally and unpleasant during this month; total rain about the average, but very showery, with thunder and hail in the South; temperature for time of year, high throughout. Earthquakes reported by Observers at Taranaki on 27th, at 10.10 p.m., smart; at Nelson, on 26th, at 4.20 a.m. From Telegraph Department—Shocks reported at Wanganui on 7th, at 1.20 a.m., sharp and abrupt; at Oamaru, on 9th, at 10.40 p.m., sharp, direction E. and W.; and on 10th, at 5.25 a.m., also sharp, and E. and W. April.—Wet stormy weather during this month, with prevailing westerly winds, thunder and hail storms occurring at several of the stations, and in the South snow,—altogether an unpleasant month for time of year. Earthquakes are reported by Metero-logical Observers at Dunedin on 11th, direction N.E. to S.W.; at Queenstown, same date, at 11.40 a.m., direction E. to W.; at Wanganui, on 13th, at 6.10 p.m., loud rumble; a meteor seen at 6.5 p.m., just before the shake. A meteor also at Hokitika on 13th, at 6.20 p.m., and on 28th, at 8.40 p.m., large. From the Telegraph Department—Earth-quakes reported on 11th, at St. Bathan's, Otago, 11.40 a.m., slight, but distinct, E. to W.; Naseby, 11.40 a.m., distinct and rumbling noise, W. to E.; Palmerston, 11.40 a.m., sharp; Waikouaiti, 11.40 a.m., slight and distinct, one second, N. to S.; Port Chalmers, 11.40 a.m., slight; Queenstown, 11.40 a.m., slight, S. to N.; Oamaru, 11.40 a.m., severe shock, heaviest yet felt, S. to N.; Dunedin, 11.40 a.m., slight; Waimate, 11.35 a.m., slight. Large meteor fell to W. at 6.15 p.m. on 3rd, at Patea, appearing to burst about 20° from horizon, leaving a brilliant streak of red light lasting several minutes. Also a meteor observed at Foxton, on 13th, at 6.14 p.m., very brilliant, apparently bursting about 20° from horizon, followed by a slight shock, as at Wanganui on same date. May.—Strong westerly gales prevailed throughout this period; rain below the average. Earthquakes reported by Observers at Wanganui, on 5th, at 6.5 a.m., slight; at Wellington on 5th, at 6.10 a.m., slight, and on 31st, between 3 and 4 a.m., sharp; at Christchurch, on 6th, at 6.30 a.m., slight; at Queenstown, on 14th, at 5.40 p.m., two shocks; at Taranaki, on 26th. By Telegraph Department—At Invercargill, on 3rd, at 6.35 p.m., two slight shocks, direction W. to E.; at Bluff, on 3rd, at 6.30p.m., slight, W. to E.; at Foxton, on 3rd, at 7.54 a.m., sharp, preceded by loud rumbling, N. to S., short duration; at Blenheim, on 5th, at 6 a.m., slight, E. and W.; at Queenstown, on 14th, at 5.50 p.m., two shocks, with noise, duration of first, 10 seconds, of second 20 seconds, W. to E.; at Port Chalmers, on 20th, at 4.17 a.m., smart; at Oamaru, on 20th, at 5.30 a.m., sharp; at Oamaru, on 31st, at 5.20 p.m., S.E. to N.W.