RECORD OF RAINFALL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2637, 7 December 1915, Page 8

RECORD OF RAINFALL

BETTER SYSTEM WANTED,

The secretary of the Wellington uhamber of Commerco reported to that body, yesterday, on the subject of rainii following effect: — At'tli o present time I am informed that tlioro are ;ibout 400 stations in Inow Zealand for recording rainfall J he.se are controlled by voluntary observers, who send in written monthly reports. Theso monthly ireports are collated and published as soon as available in-the "New Zealand Gazette." In Australia, the matter'is considered of suibciont importance'to warrant tjie expense of daily reports, tho information being telegraphed. ." i'o permit of weekly reports heiiw given, I am informed thai the following system would require to be introduced ;—

"(1) Meteorological Department would require to bo reorganised, and the staff slightly enlarged; (2) Probably some of the observers would require to bo paid; "(3) Tho co-operation of the Post and telegraph Department would bo necessary to'permit of the reports being, telegiaphed, so that they could be collated worked up in the Meteorological Ufhce, Wellington. "I am informed that" it would also be an adyantage ; f observers telegraphed information regarding heavy rain storms." Recognising that' it .would be an advantage to have a better system in New Zealand, the president (Mr. J. -Macintosli) was deputed to wait on the Minister in cliarg'e, and place the matter before him. ,