METEOROLOGICAL STATISTICS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2162, 29 January 1881, Page 2

METEOROLOGICAL STATISTICS.

The coolness of the present summer has been a subject of general comment. The statistics published for the month of December show that the cuticles of Now Zealanders have told the truth, and are, moreover, extremely sensitive. The official summary for the month of December shows that the average temperature has been lower at all the principal stations. The greatest deficiency was at Auckland, whore it was 2.1 deg. At Dunedin it was 1.9 deg.,- at Christchurch, 1.4 deg.; and at Wellington, 0.5 deg. While on the subject of climate, we would wish to refer to the book published by Dr. Hector, containing tabulated statements of the temperature, rainfall, &c., during the time that regular meteorological observations have been taken at the various stations. It is interesting to note, that the prognostications of those who expected that the planting of trees in Christchurch and neighbourhood would increase the rainfall, have been proved to be entirely unfounded. No regular addi-

tion to the rainfall is noticeable. Of late years the fall has varied considerably from year to year, as it did when the observations were first taken; but th numerous trees in the neighbourhood do not seem to have had any absolute effect in any way. In all probability the features of the country about Christchurch are so largo, that there is little chance of the hand of man even modifying the laws which rule our meteorological conditions.