hot ash. But the texture above this shows evidence of wind drift, and it is possible that recent burning followed by wind drift is responsible. No evidence of sub-surface burnt vegetation is apparent to the east of the main crest. Ignimbrite On the extreme western boundary limited deposits of ignimbrite occur in the Oamaru Valley and in the upper Ngaruroro. Rainfall There are no meteorological records from the neighbourhood of the range. A belt of low rainfall (40–45 inches) is considered to cross the North Island from Wanganui to Napier at the Taruarau Gap, and long-established records from Mangaohane (39.5in) and Whanawhana (41in) confirm this, though the rain gauge recently established at Kuripapango gives considerably higher figures. The lack of definite climatic information in this gap is particularly unfortunate, as it leaves the cause of the discontinuous forest pattern in doubt. Whereas on the south side of the gap on the Ruahine Range these patterns can fairly be attributed to the drowning out of forest by the formation of peat, presumably marking a recent climatic change to cooler, wetter, and/or cloudier conditions, on the northern side of the gap the cause of forest/tussock patterns is by no means so clear. As far as the Kaweka Range is concerned there is no evidence supporting the hypothesis of a climatic change towards cooler, wetter conditions. Beyond the northern extremity of the range Poronui Station receives a rainfall of 77in, and the Kaimanawa Range immediately above it may be considered to have about 100in. All that can be deduced from this is that the Kawekas are likely to have a rainfall ranging from 40in–45in in the south-east to as much as 80in-90in on the extreme north-western boundary. Sunshine For three years (1938–41) observations of cloud levels along the Ruahine and Kaweka Ranges were made from the Hawke's Bay plains. These show that the ranges form a uniform barrier to easterlies and westerlies, north of the Manawatu Gorge. Winds from south-west to south-east supply most of the rain to Hawke's Bay and most of the cloud to the eastern side of the ranges. As the effect of these southerlies weakens in their passage north, there is a steady decrease of cloud and an increase of sunshine from south to north. Cloudless days average 34% for the Kawekas as compared with 28% for the central Ruahine and 22% (Zotov) for the Tararua Range. As rainfall increases sharply north of the Mohaka River, the Kaweka Range may be considered the sunniest and driest portion of the North Island axis ranges. Wind Forest margins and trees on exposed ridges are usually well grown and erect, showing little influence of wind, in marked contrast to the gnarled marginal trees and wind roofs of corresponding situations in the Ruahine Range. At the same time, with so much exposed pumice soil, wind has a disproportionate effect in open places. Snow Snowfall varies Above 5,000ft it may lie for up to five consecutive months in winter, but it may not persist until after midwinter; while drifts rarely persist until midsummer. After a particularly heavy fall snow may persist for a month at 3,000ft, and may do considerable damage to forest well below this level by stripping branches,